China congratulates Togo on smooth political transition: spokesman

China congratulates Togo on smooth political transition and is ready to work with the new government to strengthen exchanges and promote bilateral relations, said Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian on Tuesday.

Jean-Lucien Savi de Tove was elected by the Togolese parliament on Saturday as the West African country's new president, succeeding Faure Gnassingbe, who was sworn in earlier as the President of Togo's Council of Ministers.

"China appreciates and congratulates Togo on its smooth political transition and the election of a new president and the first president of Togo's Council of Ministers. In 2024, during the Summit of Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing, President Xi Jinping and then-President Faure Gnassingbe jointly upgraded China-Togo relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, opening a new chapter in bilateral relations. China attaches great importance to the development of China-Togo relations and is willing to work with the new government of Togo to implement the outcomes of the FOCAC, strengthen exchanges and cooperation in various fields, and promote the continuous development of China-Togo relations," Lin said at a regular press briefing in Beijing.

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil issued a statement on Saturday, saying that the security alert released by the U.S. Department of State regarding Venezuela is based on false claims that do not exist and is intended to create a perception of risk that is not real.

According to the statement posted on Gil's official X account, Venezuela is currently in a state of absolute calm, peace and stability.

All residential areas, transportation routes, checkpoints and security facilities in the country are functioning normally, and all armed forces nationwide are under the government's control.

The statement came after the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs on Saturday warned that as international flights have resumed, U.S. citizens in Venezuela "should leave the country immediately."