U.S., Israel halting military operations key to preventing escalation: Chinese FM

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Tuesday that the key to preventing further escalation of the situation regarding Iran lies in the United States and Israel halting their military operations, adding that China does not approve of attacks on Gulf countries and condemns all attacks on civil facilities and innocent civilians.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks in a phone conversation with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar.

Dar briefed Wang on Pakistan's position on the current situation in Iran and called on all parties to exercise restraint and resolve the current crisis through peaceful negotiations.

Pakistan commends China's efforts to de-escalate the situation and is willing to enhance coordination and cooperation with China through platforms including the United Nations (UN) to jointly seek effective ways to achieve peace, Dar said.

For his part, Wang said that China and Pakistan, as all-weather strategic cooperative partners, have a fine tradition of communicating and coordinating on major international and regional issues.

Both sides had promptly stated their firm positions on the situation in Iran, demonstrating a responsible attitude and compliance with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, Wang said, adding that the war against Iran lacks legitimacy and legality, and prolonging it will only bring more senseless casualties.

China appreciates Pakistan's mediation efforts, and is willing to maintain close multilateral and bilateral coordination and cooperation with Pakistan, support its continued constructive role and jointly promote an early restoration of peace and stability in the region, said Wang.

The two sides also discussed recent border clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Wang noted that China's special envoy on Afghan affairs is actively shuttling between the two countries to promote dialogue and reconciliation, and stressed that the urgent task is to prevent further escalation and return to negotiations as soon as possible.

China firmly supports Pakistan's fight against terrorism and hopes that Pakistan will continue to take all possible measures to ensure the safety of Chinese personnel, projects and institutions in the country, Wang added.

Dar thanked China for its mediation efforts, stressing that Pakistan attaches great importance to and will fully ensure the safety of Chinese personnel and institutions.

U.S., Israel halting military operations key to preventing escalation: Chinese FM

U.S., Israel halting military operations key to preventing escalation: Chinese FM

U.S., Israel halting military operations key to preventing escalation: Chinese FM

Liuzhai, once a remote and impoverished village in north China's Shanxi Province, has transformed itself into a model of rural revitalization by advancing modern agriculture and tourism, a national political advisor said in a group interview in Beijing on Wednesday.

Cheng Yuzhen, a member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and Party branch secretary of Liuzhai Village in Changzhi City, briefed the media on dramatic changes in her village over the past years ahead of the closing meeting of the fourth session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee.

"During the process from lifting ourselves out of poverty to revitalizing rural areas, we focused on developing distinctive industries and building self-sustaining capabilities. Leveraging the village's traditional liquor-making techniques, we established a modern distillery and built our own brand. This initiative has provided stable income to over 300 households growing sorghum nearby. At the same time, we developed 108 greenhouses and cultivated about 20 hectares of field vegetables," said Cheng.

The village has developed six pillar industries, including greenhouse vegetable production, photovoltaic power generation, and minor grains processing. In 2016, all the residents in the village shook off absolute poverty.

"Additionally, we've integrated the village's industries to develop tourism. Last year, we hosted over 30 events including bonfire parties, fruit picking and rural food festivals, attracting thousands of visitors from surrounding cities. Now, our village's per capita income has surpassed 25,000 yuan (about 3,635 U.S. dollars)," said Cheng.

The annual session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee, China's top political advisory body, opened on March 4 this year.

Political advisor shares village's efforts, changes in rural revitalization