The United States must view China's development and China-U.S. ties in a rational and objective way, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Guo Jiakun said at a press briefing in Beijing on Friday, in response to a media query about the negative contents regarding China in the U.S. National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026.
"The U.S. National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 hypes up the 'China threat' narrative, interferes in China's internal affairs, and undermines China's sovereignty, security, and development interests. We deplore and reject this and have repeatedly lodged solemn representations with the U.S. side," said Guo.
"China urges the U.S. to view China's development and China-U.S. relations objectively and rationally, move in the same direction with China, and jointly implement the important consensus reached by the two presidents in Busan, [South Korea]. The U.S. must refrain from implementing the negative provisions concerning China in the act and eliminate its adverse impacts. If the U.S. insists on going ahead with it, China will take resolute and strong measures to firmly defend its sovereignty, security, and development interests," said the spokesman.
U.S. urged to view China's development rationally
Efforts are underway in Gaza City to salvage what remains of the territory's cultural heritage after nearly two years of war.
At the ruins of the Great Omari Mosque, Gaza's oldest and largest mosque, Palestinian workers have been clearing and sorting stones dating back more than 1,200 years using basic tools.
"The Great Omari Mosque represents the heart and soul of Gaza City, and Palestine as a whole. The value of these stones is not in their size, but in their deep and layered historical significance," said Husni Al-Mazloom, manager of the Great Omari Mosque restoration project.
Only fragments of the mosque's minarets and a few of its external walls remain standing.
"During the war, it was not only people, trees, and buildings that were targeted, but also thousands of years of human history. Most historical sites in Gaza City were struck and destroyed in an attempt to erase the historical identity of Gaza's people," said Palestinian historian Ayman Al-Balbisi.
Progress on the restoration project has been extremely slow, as Israel continues to restrict the entry of construction materials, even after nearly eight weeks of ceasefire.
On a positive note, however, the project provides locals with more income.
"Before working here, we were unemployed. When this opportunity became available for me and 20 other workers, it allowed us to provide for our families and cover basic needs. During the war, there was no work available for us at all," said worker Ali Al-Qaloushi.
Palestinians have accused Israel of deliberately targeting heritage sites. But Israel denied, saying its strikes followed international law and targeted Hamas tools near or beneath these locations.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has verified damage to 145 religious, cultural and historical sites in Gaza since October 2023, raising fears of irreversible loss in a territory whose history spans more than 5,000 years and carries the imprint of numerous civilizations.
Gazans race to preserve cultural heritage after two years of war
