China supports and welcomes the ceasefire between India and Pakistan, and calls for achieving comprehensive and lasting regional peace and stability, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian on Monday.
Pakistan and India announced on Saturday that they agreed on an immediate ceasefire after four days of military strikes on each other. The ceasefire so far seems to be holding, despite accusations of ceasefire violations from both sides.
At a regular press conference in Beijing, Lin said, "A ceasefire between India and Pakistan is in line with the fundamental and long-term interests of both sides, conducive to regional peace and stability, and is also the general expectation of the international community. China supports and welcomes this. India and Pakistan are neighbors that cannot be moved away, and are also China's neighbors. Since the tension between India and Pakistan, China has maintained close communication with relevant parties, calling on India and Pakistan to remain calm and restrained and avoid escalation of the situation."
"On the evening of May 10, Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, and Chinese Foreign Minister, respectively spoke on the phone with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval to promote the easing of the situation and achieve a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire. Both Pakistan and India have made positive statements. China expects India and Pakistan to consolidate and continue the ceasefire momentum, avoid the recurrence of conflict, properly handle differences through dialogue and negotiation, and return to the track of political settlement. China is willing to continue to maintain communication with both India and Pakistan and play a constructive role in achieving a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire between India and Pakistan and maintaining regional peace and stability," said Lin.
China supports, welcomes India-Pakistan ceasefire: spokesman
China supports, welcomes India-Pakistan ceasefire: spokesman
China supports, welcomes India-Pakistan ceasefire: spokesman
A major port in northern Venezuela came under U.S. airstrikes in the early hours of January 3, which caused extensive damage to civilian infrastructure, destroyed critical medical supplies in a warehouse, and severely impacted centuries-old cultural heritage sites, according to local residents.
The La Guaira Port, a vital hub for imports that support daily life in the region, was heavily damaged during the attack.
Large quantities of medical supplies stored at the port were destroyed. A historic cultural building dating back for some 300 years was also badly damaged by the bombardment.
Residents living near the port recalled the terrifying scenes as explosions shook nearby neighborhoods.
Humberto Bolivar, who lives in a community separated from the port by only a main road, said the blast waves shattered his home's windows, while stray shrapnel struck the water tank on his roof. According to reports, three missiles were fired at the port that night.
Bolivar said that beyond material losses, he is most concerned about the psychological impact on his children, who remain too frightened to leave their home days after the attack.
"The United States invaded our country. The children were frightened. This is not good for them, because it leaves some children with psychological trauma. They do not want to go to school or leave the house, because they are afraid that something worse might happen. We truly do not want this to happen to our country," he said.
Apart from civilian facilities, local cultural heritage site was also affected.
The La Guaira state government building, a structure with nearly 300 years of history and once served as the site of Venezuela's first national customs office, was struck by the force of the explosions.
Windows of the building were shattered, and furniture scattered across the floor.
"As people of La Guaira, we feel deep pain. Our cultural heritage has been bombed. We are living in constant anxiety and suffering, and life can no longer be the same as it was before," said a local named Henry Cumares.
The U.S. side has claimed the airstrikes targeted warehouses allegedly used to store narcotics. However, locals refuted such accusation.
"According to what Donald Trump said, they bombed this place using the excuse that the warehouses here were used to store drugs at the port. But based on the video released by our governor, these warehouses that were burned contained medicine for kidney patients and foods. Many people depend on these supplies to survive. I think the bombing is extremely despicable," said a local resident named Alejandro Capriles.
US strike hits Venezuelan port, wrecking medical supplies, heritage building
