Germany experienced its hottest day of the summer on Tuesday, with temperatures reaching 40 Celsius degrees in parts of the west and south, and the national weather service issuing a nationwide heat alert.
In major cities across Germany, temperatures surpassed 30 Celsius degrees. A high-level forest fire alert remains in effect nationwide. Some public facilities offer free spaces for cooling, while some zoos were closed to the public due to the extreme heat.
Meanwhile, demand for fans, air conditioners, and temperature-control devices has surged.
Health authorities have urged the public to pay attention to health risks due to high temperature and called on medical institutions to prepare for such extreme weather.
"It's extremely hot today. You must use sunscreen, or you'll get sunburned. With temperatures above 37 Celsius degrees wearing a hat is essential," said Maxim, a student in Germany.
Transport networks have been affected, with train cancellations and delays affecting over 30 routes in western Germany.
Additionally, road infrastructure has also been impacted. The government of Lower Saxony warned that high temperatures had melted binding agents on some roads. Older concrete roads are more vulnerable to heat, increasing risks of vehicle tire blowouts.
Germany swelters under record summer heatwave
President of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Lee Jae Myung has expressed his hope that his upcoming visit to China will help eliminate past misunderstandings and issues, underscoring the importance of ties between the two countries.
At the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, Lee will pay a state visit to China from Jan 4 to 7. It will be Lee's first visit to China since he took office.
In an interview with China Media Group (CMG) in Seoul on Wednesday, Lee acknowledged the existing misunderstandings and issues between the two countries, noting that addressing these issues is a key goal of his visit.
"The current international landscape is turbulent, with escalating issues among various countries. In this context, the relationship between the Republic of Korea and China holds significant importance for us. the ROK and China are deeply interconnected in many areas, including history, economy, geopolitics, politics and security. Northeast Asia's peace, stability, mutual respect, and common prosperity are crucial for both countries," said Lee.
"Admittedly, there have been some misunderstandings and issues between the ROK and China, which have hindered the development of bilateral relations to some extent. Therefore, the purpose of my upcoming visit to China is to minimize or eliminate these past issues, foster a leap in our bilateral relations to a new level, and solidify the ROK and China as partners that mutually support each other's development," he said.
ROK President hopes to reduce misunderstandings with China during upcoming visit
