Peng Liyuan, spouses of foreign leaders attending SCO Summit visit Tianjin

China

Peng Liyuan, spouses of foreign leaders attending SCO Summit visit Tianjin

2025-09-01 19:56 Last Updated At：09-02 13:47

Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, on Monday afternoon invited spouses of foreign leaders and other guests attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit 2025 to a tour on the Haihe River that winds through north China's port city of Tianjin.

Peng warmly greeted the guests, shaking hands with them one by one before joining them for a group photo. At the pier, children holding flags of China and SCO member states welcomed them with a joyful song "I'am waiting for you in Tianjin".

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Peng Liyuan, spouses of foreign leaders attending SCO Summit visit Tianjin

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Peng Liyuan, spouses of foreign leaders attending SCO Summit visit Tianjin

Afterward, Peng joined the guests on a boat tour along the river, where they learned about the city's history and development.

Describing Tianjin as a city blending rich historical heritage with modern charm, Peng said the Haihe River has witnessed the development of Tianjin as well as the integration and mutual learning of diverse cultures. She said she looked forward to having an unforgettable time with the guests.

While enjoying riverside views, they sipped tea and listened to a performance of sanxian, a three-stringed traditional Chinese instrument.

They also posed for a group photo on the deck.

The guests expressed appreciation for China's fine traditional culture and highly praised the prominent achievements in advancing Chinese modernization.

ROK ex-president Yoon sentenced to 5 years in prison on arrest obstruction charges

The Republic of Korea (ROK)'s former impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol on Friday was sentenced to five years in prison on arrest obstruction charges.

The criminal division of the Seoul Central District Court in charge of Yoon's obstruction of justice case handed down the prison sentence to Yoon for abusing the presidential security service to hinder the anti-corruption agency from executing its arrest warrant in January 2025.

The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) was once thwarted in its attempt to arrest Yoon as the presidential security service formed human shields and bus blockades to prevent investigators from entering the presidential residence.

The team of Cho Eun-suk, an independent counsel who led investigations into Yoon's insurrection and other charges, demanded a 10-year prison term for Yoon.

The court said Yoon privatized the presidential security service for personal safety and private interests by blocking the law enforcement agencies' lawful execution of an arrest warrant and attempting to destroy evidence, pointing out that despite the very bad nature of his crime, he consistently offered unconvincing excuses and showed no remorse.

The court stressed that severe punishment was necessary, considering the need to restore the rule of law damaged by Yoon's crime, but it noted that the fact that he was a first-time offender with no criminal record was considered a favorable factor.

The sentencing, which was broadcast live, was Yoon's first verdict coming from his botched martial law bid.

The first-instance sentencing for Yoon's insurrection charges was scheduled for Feb 19. The special counsel sought a death penalty for Yoon on the charges.

Yoon declared emergency martial law on the night of Dec 3 in 2024, but it was revoked hours later by the National Assembly.

The constitutional court upheld a motion to impeach Yoon in April 2025, officially removing him from office.

The ousted leader was indicted while in detention in January 2025 on charges of leading an insurrection, becoming the first sitting ROK president facing such prosecution.