Arab leaders demand ceasefire in Gaza, reject displacement of Palestinians

China

Arab leaders demand ceasefire in Gaza, reject displacement of Palestinians

2025-05-18 02:59 Last Updated At：15:47

Arab leaders on Saturday called for an immediate halt to the war in Gaza and voiced their rejection of forced displacement of Palestinians.

In the final statement of the 34th Arab League Summit, which kicked off in the Iraqi capital Baghdad earlier in the day, the leaders of the bloc's 22 member states demanded "an immediate halt to the war in Gaza and all hostilities exacerbating civilian suffering."

The statement urged the international community, particularly influential states, to fulfill their moral and legal obligations to advocate for a cessation of bloodshed and ensure unhindered humanitarian aid to Gaza.

They also reiterated their rejection of forced displacement of the Palestinian people, which constitutes a violation of international law, the statement added.

It called on all countries to provide political, financial, and legal support for the reconstruction and recovery plans for the Gaza Strip, welcoming Iraq's call to establish a fund for the reconstruction of Gaza.

The leaders affirmed that the Palestinian issue remains the core cause of the Arab nation and the key to regional stability, said the statement, adding that they fully support the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including freedom, self-determination, and the establishment of an independent, sovereign Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The statement stressed that the Arab leaders condemn all illegitimate measures and practices by Israel that target the Palestinian people and deprive them of their right to freedom, life, and human dignity.

The leaders supported a call of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to convene an international peace conference and take steps to implement the two-state solution.

The statement also addressed other issues across the Arab world, including Sudan, Lebanon, Syria, Libya, and Yemen, and reiterated the Arab leaders' condemnation of all forms of terrorism, particularly the terrorist acts by the Islamic State (IS) group.

The summit witnessed the participation of leaders and top diplomats of 22 Arab League member states, as well as representatives from regional and international organizations.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and expressed deep concern over Israel's plans to expand its military operations in the region.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said at the summit that all parties must step up pressure on Israel to end its military operations in the Gaza Strip.

He also announced that Spain plans to submit a resolution to the United Nations General Assembly, calling on the International Court of Justice to determine whether Israel has fulfilled its international obligations to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza.

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi urged the United States to press Israel to agree to a ceasefire in Gaza.

Film IP fuels expansion of consumer market

China's movie industry is increasingly deriving its earnings from broader consumer economy.

Released during the 2025 summer season, the film "Nobody" became China's highest-grossing two-dimensional animated film -- and its success went beyond theaters.

Through licensing and brand partnerships, the movie has generated 2.5 billion yuan (about 358.3 million U.S. dollars) in retail sales to consumers, with more than 800 licensed products on the market.

Ranging from plush toys to food and home goods, the movie-related merchandise can be purchased from over 3,000 online and offline outlets.

Meanwhile, souvenir stores are crowded at Shanghai Disneyland's Zootopia themed land, with hats, plush toys, and collectibles seeing steady demand from visitors.

"China's film industry is no longer defined by box office revenue alone. It has become a new growth engine that links and energizes multiple cultural sectors. At the heart of every successful film is strong storytelling. High-quality productions create cultural value, which in turn enhances the commercial value of intellectual property and opens up new consumption opportunities. I believe China's film industry delivered an outstanding performance in the past year," said Chen Xiaoda, vice dean of Shanghai Vancouver Film School.