China's top political advisor meets special envoy of Communist Party, government of Cuba

Top political advisor Wang Huning met with Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, special envoy of the Communist Party and government of Cuba, member of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Cuban Communist Party and the foreign minister of Cuba, in Beijing on Thursday.

Wang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), recalled that the two meetings between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel in 2025 drew a blueprint for a closer China-Cuba community of shared future. China will continue to firmly support Cuba's just struggle against foreign interference and jointly uphold the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries, he added.

Wang expressed the belief that the Communist Party of Cuba will overcome difficulties and lead the Cuban people to make new achievements on the path of socialist construction, and the CPPCC stands ready to deepen friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

For his part, Rodriguez said that China is a key force for maintaining world peace and represents hope for the Global South. He thanked China for its selfless assistance to Cuba and expressed Cuba's willingness to work together with China to implement the consensus reached by the heads of state of the two countries, continuously enhance bilateral relations and jointly defend international fairness and justice.

China's top political advisor meets special envoy of Communist Party, government of Cuba

Some Japanese people said on Thursday that the government led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi must firmly uphold the pacifist constitution.

Their remarks came after French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Japan from Tuesday to Thursday.

Attending a joint press conference with Takaichi on Wednesday, Macron emphasized that France and Japan have agreed on the importance of on the importance of quickly de-escalating the conflict in the Middle East and upholding international law.

Many saw this as a response to a strongly worded post by U.S. President Donald Trump on social media, which criticized France for refusing to cooperate with the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.

Some locals in Tokyo expressed their opposition to Japan's involvement in any war, but said Japan could offer help when the conflict in the Middle East ends.

"I think that Prime Minister Takaichi could offer support, provided that we wouldn't get involved in an armed conflict, such as minesweeping operations at sea, as Japan has the best minesweeping technology in the world," said a resident in Tokyo.

"I'm not entirely sure what consequences will follow Trump's demands. There may be additional tariffs, among other things. Our constitution prohibits [Japan's] from getting involved in war, and Prime Minister Takaichi should uphold this principle," said another resident.

Tokyo residents urge PM Takaichi to uphold pacifist constitution