China builds world's biggest water conservancy infrastructure system: official

China has built the world's largest and most comprehensive water conservancy infrastructure system that benefits the largest population in the world, said Minister of Water Resources Li Guoying in Beijing on Monday.

Li made the remarks while briefing the press on the achievements of China's water conservancy infrastructure development during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025).

"In 2022, investment in water conservancy construction crossed the one-trillion-yuan (about 140 billion U.S. dollar) threshold for the first time and had continued to break historical records for three consecutive years, reaching 1.3529 trillion yuan in 2024. The total investment during the 14th Five-Year Plan period is projected to exceed 5.4 trillion yuan, 1.6 times that of the 13th Five-Year Plan period," he said.

"Since the beginning of the 14th Five-Year Plan, 172 major water conservancy projects have been launched. The layout, the structure, the function and system integration of water conservancy infrastructure has been optimized at an accelerated pace," the minister said.

This rapid development has not only enhanced the efficiency and resilience of water management systems but also laid a solid foundation for future water security and sustainable growth across the country, according to the minister.

"By the end of 2024, China has built 95,000 reservoirs, 200 large- and medium-sized water diversion projects, 6,924 large- and medium-sized irrigation districts and 318,000 kilometers of embankment, forming the world's largest and most comprehensive water conservancy infrastructure system that benefits the largest population," he said.

China builds world's biggest water conservancy infrastructure system: official

China builds world's biggest water conservancy infrastructure system: official

China builds world's biggest water conservancy infrastructure system: official

China builds world's biggest water conservancy infrastructure system: official

China builds world's biggest water conservancy infrastructure system: official

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem said Sunday that any Israeli military presence on Lebanese territory is unacceptable, stressing that the Lebanese army is the "only party authorized to protect national sovereignty."

"There is no place for security zones or Israeli military positions inside Lebanon," Qassem said in a televised speech on al-Manar local TV channel.

He accused Israel of attempting to redefine the Nov. 27, 2024 ceasefire by maintaining freedom of military action inside Lebanon while demanding full compliance from Hezbollah.

He said any future understanding must be based on a complete halt to Israeli attacks, full withdrawal of Israeli forces, and deployment of the Lebanese army south of the Litani River.

Hezbollah remains committed to any comprehensive ceasefire but will not accept continued "Israeli violations," he said.

Qassem also said the United States can compel Israel to stop its attacks if it chooses to do so, adding that U.S. support has enabled Israel to continue its military operations.

On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the Israeli military will continue its long-term presence in the so-called "security zone" in southern Lebanon, based on security needs, until the security threat to Israel is eliminated.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz also said on Sunday that the Israeli army will not withdraw from the "security zone" it holds in southern Lebanon, despite a recent ceasefire announcement.

Katz affirmed in a statement that the Israeli military would remain at all positions in the "security zone," which he claimed protects northern Israeli settlements.

He added that there was and is no restriction on Israeli soldiers in Lebanon to act to eliminate threats.

Israel's military chief Eyal Zamir said Sunday that the ceasefire declared in Lebanon the day before is "fragile," according to a statement from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

Speaking during a situation assessment with senior commanders of units operating in southern Lebanon, Zamir stated that the military must maintain a high level of readiness for the renewal of combat operations, and the elimination of threats.

He added that the Israeli military continues to fight, and that its goal remains to protect communities in northern Israel.

The cumulative death toll from Israeli attacks on Lebanon since March 2 had risen to 4,057, with 12,121 people wounded, the Lebanese Health Ministry's Public Health Emergency Operations Center said Saturday.

Hezbollah chief says any Israeli military presence in Lebanon unacceptable

Hezbollah chief says any Israeli military presence in Lebanon unacceptable