UN calls for investigations of civilian deaths in Lebanon

The United Nations voiced deep concern on Tuesday over the escalating violence in Lebanon and said that all violations of humanitarian law should be investigated.

Thameen Al-Kheetan, spokesman for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), said at a press conference in Geneva, Switzerland that Israeli military attacks have killed at least 127 civilians in Lebanon since a truce came into effect on November 27 last year.

"Almost a year since this ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel was agreed, we continue to witness increasing attacks by the Israeli military resulting in the killing of civilians and destruction of civilian objects in Lebanon, coupled with alarming threats of a wider, intensified offensive. The Israeli military's attacks have resulted in the killing of at least 127 civilians in Lebanon since the ceasefire agreement came into effect," he said.

Al-Kheetan said the Israeli attack on the Ein El-Hilweh refugee camp in southern Lebanon, along with other possible human rights breaches, should be investigated.

Israel says it was targeting Palestinian militants in the crowded refugee camp near Sidon.

"There must be prompt and impartial investigations into the Ein El-Hilweh strike, as well as all other incidents involving possible violations of international humanitarian law by all parties, both before and after the ceasefire. Those responsible must be held to account," the spokesman said.

UN calls for investigations of civilian deaths in Lebanon

UN calls for investigations of civilian deaths in Lebanon

UN calls for investigations of civilian deaths in Lebanon

UN calls for investigations of civilian deaths in Lebanon

China will take further steps to expand high-standard opening-up and create a new landscape of win-win cooperation in 2026, which marks the start of the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), Commerce Minister Wang Wentao said in a recent interview with China Media Group.

Wang said opening up and cooperation for mutual benefit are integral to Chinese modernization. This year, China will actively expand voluntary opening up.

The country will steadily open up such areas as value-added telecommunications, biotechnology and wholly foreign-owned hospitals, while accelerating comprehensive pilot and demonstration programs for expanded opening-up in the services sector, he noted.

"We will expand the scope and regions of unilateral opening-up and ensure the implementation of zero-tariff treatment on 100 percent of tariff lines for all African countries that have diplomatic relations with China. We will vigorously promote the effective implementation of policies for special customs operations of the Hainan Free Trade Port, further enhance the level of trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, optimize the regional layout and coverage of pilot free trade zones, and support these zones in carrying out more robust institutional opening-up trials in areas such as market access, environmental standards and government procurement, so as to better leverage their role as comprehensive pilot platforms for reform and opening-up," said Wang.

Wang said China will promote the orderly planning of cross-border industrial and supply chains.

Efforts will be made to deepen economic and trade cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, enhance integration and connectivity across production and supply chains, and encourage cooperation in areas including green development, the digital economy, green minerals, new infrastructure and new energy so as to help build global production and supply chain partnerships that are equal, inclusive and constructive, he noted.

"We will give play to the platform role of overseas economic and trade cooperation zones, expand overseas marketing networks and explore international markets through outward investment, achieve mutual promotion between investment and trade, and advance the integrated development of trade and investment. We will also improve the overseas comprehensive service system and the national-level overseas comprehensive service platform," said the minister.

In addition, China will participate constructively in global economic governance, according to the minister.

In 2026, Wang said, China will pursue flexible and pragmatic approaches to negotiate trade and investment agreements with more willing countries and regions, while strengthening economic and trade cooperation under multilateral frameworks such as BRICS, G20 and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, to further promote mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.

China to expand high-standard opening-up to foster win-win cooperation: minister