China firmly supports AIIB's participation in global infrastructure construction: minister

China's Minister of Finance Lan Fo'an said on Thursday that the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has achieved leapfrog development since its establishment in 2015, and China will continue to firmly support the AIIB's participation in global infrastructure construction.

Speaking at the 10th Annual Meeting of the AIIB Board of Governors, Lan, also chairman of the board of directors of the AIIB, said that over the past decade, China, as a founding member, key shareholder, headquarters host country and development partner of the the AIIB, has played a crucial role in its development, carrying out a batch of high-quality projects, sharing Chinese experience with developing members and providing support within its capacity to low-income members.

Lan also expressed his expectations for the AIIB's role in advancing connectivity, enhancing business innovation, and broadening strategic partnerships.

"More efforts will be made to strengthen the AIIB's ability to develop and implement high-quality projects, steadily expand the loan scale, and benefit more members both within and outside the region. By seizing the opportunities presented by the new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation, we will promote technology-enabled infrastructure, help members bridge the technology gap, and unleash the potential for economic development," said Lan.

Lan further noted that the world has entered a new period of turbulence and transformation, and the stability and recovery of the global economy are facing unprecedented challenges. As an important platform for international development cooperation, the AIIB should follow the historical trend, go with the flow of the times, uphold the banner of multilateralism, and make new contributions to promoting global interconnected development and common prosperity.

China firmly supports AIIB's participation in global infrastructure construction: minister

The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) is ready to completely withdraw from the governmental scene in the Gaza Strip and engage in a positive and constructive manner with the second phase of the plan to end the war in the enclave, said Hamas political bureau member Basem Naim on Friday. In a statement, Naim said that the ceasefire deal became an international plan after being adopted by the United Nations Security Council. However, it is now facing obstacles.

He accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of reneging on his commitments and escalating the situation, in an attempt to return to war and save his political career. Pointing out that Israeli strikes have caused hundreds of casualties since the announcement of the ceasefire, the Hamas official said the escalation cannot occur without cover or green light from the United States. He said Hamas has committed to all its obligations under the ceasefire agreement, as attested by the mediators and the U.S., adding that it is ready for the second phase of the agreement.

He emphasized the Movement's commitment to the establishment of a fully empowered Palestinian body to administer Gaza, and its complete withdrawal from the governmental scene.

Naim warned that the situation will not be sustainable if the continued escalation of Israeli military operations and the persistence of the catastrophic humanitarian situation remain unaddressed, adding that the circle of fire may expand, which is what Netanyahu aspires to.

Since a ceasefire took effect on Oct 10, 2025, Gaza's death toll has risen to 439 with 1,223 injuries, according to local health authorities on Friday. Rescue teams have recovered 688 bodies during that period. In the broader conflict, at least 71,409 Palestinians have been killed and 171,304 wounded since Israel's military campaign in Gaza began in October 2023.

Hamas ready for complete withdrawal from Gaza governmental scene: official