Renowned Chinese mountaineer highlights climbing spirit as driving force for success

The spirit of climbing is a vivid manifestation of building China into a country strong in sports, inspiring more Chinese people to forge ahead tenaciously in their respective fields, a renowned veteran Chinese mountaineer said in Beijing on Wednesday.

Wang Yongfeng, vice president of the Chinese Mountaineering Association and a member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), China's top political advisory body, attended a group interview ahead of the opening meeting of the fourth session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Wang said that high-altitude climbing is no longer the exclusive domain of professional mountaineers, with more and more climbing enthusiasts joining the activity. In the year of 2025 alone, 51 Chinese have summited the Mount Qomolangma, a feat backed by China's sci-tech advancements and comprehensive national strength, he said.

"The spirit of climbing is also a vivid manifestation of building China into a country strong in sports. At the recently concluded Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, Chinese athletes made breakthroughs in multiple events, achieving the best performance of the Chinese sports delegation in all past Winter Olympics held abroad. The spirit of climbing is also reflected in the pursuit of health and self-transcendence by ordinary people in their daily life. Currently, the proportion of people in China who engage in regular physical exercise has reached 38.52 percent. The country has an average sports facility space of three square meters for each person, with the national physical fitness qualification rate standing at 84.9 percent. These achievements are the results of ordinary individuals' efforts on running tracks, in swimming pools, in gyms and in the outdoors," said Wang.

"Advancing Chinese modernization also requires the spirit of climbing. As long as we uphold such a spirit, stay focused on our goals, work diligently and forge ahead tenaciously, there will be no peak too daunting to conquer and no dream too difficult to achieve," he said.

The fourth session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee opened in Beijing on Wednesday and will run through March 11.

Renowned Chinese mountaineer highlights climbing spirit as driving force for success

Israeli airstrikes on Beirut's southern suburbs and southern Lebanon killed 40 people and wounded 246 on Monday, said Lebanese Public Health Minister Rakan Nasreddine on Tuesday.

At a press conference in Beirut, Nassereddine briefed the media on the death toll from Monday's attacks and outlined hospitals' efforts to provide full medical coverage for all Lebanese and displaced people.

"As of today, we have 40 martyrs and 246 wounded, including seven children. That's in addition to the number of martyrs after the cessation of hostilities on November 27, 2024, bringing the total to more than 400 martyrs," Nassereddine said.

"As for the shelters, we are responsible for providing health services, including hospitalization and medication. With regard to hospitalization, we are announcing, with great responsibility, 100 percent coverage in government hospitals for all Lebanese people, displaced persons and hosts, and all people without insurance during the war. The coverage is approved by the Ministry of Public Health," he said.

Israeli strikes on Lebanon kill 40, wound 246: health ministry