Ecuadorian president to visit China

At the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, President of the Republic of Ecuador Daniel Roy-Gilchrist Noboa Azín will pay a state visit to China from Aug 16 to 23, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson announced on Friday.

Noting Ecuador is an important Latin American country, and China and Ecuador are comprehensive strategic partners, the spokesperson said that over the recent years, under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China-Ecuador relations have maintained a sound momentum of growth.

The spokesperson said that the two sides have signed a document on Belt and Road cooperation and a free trade agreement, practical cooperation in various areas has been fruitful, and the friendship between the peoples has been deepening.

The upcoming visit will be President Daniel Noboa's first state visit to China, the spokesperson said, adding that President Xi will hold talks with him, and Premier Li Qiang and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Zhao Leji will meet with him, respectively.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the China-Ecuador comprehensive strategic partnership, and China hopes the visit will help further consolidate political mutual trust between the two countries, carry forward the traditional friendship, and achieve new progress in the comprehensive strategic partnership for the benefit of the two peoples, the spokesperson said.

Ecuadorian president to visit China

Iran said on Thursday that the Strait of Hormuz remained closed, while two vessels belonging to Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) were reportedly attacked while transiting the waterway.

Ali Azmaei, commander of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC)'s Navy, said that the strait was closed, and that the Iranian force had complete and decisive control over the movements in the waterway.

No movement in the strait escapes the eyes of the IRGC Navy, the commander said.

Meanwhile, ADNOC issued a statement on Friday, confirming that two of its vessels came under attack in the strait on Thursday evening, according to local authorities and media reports.

In a statement posted on social media, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the Iranian attacks, stressing the necessity for Iran to cease attacks.

The company confirmed that no injuries have been reported, and the situation has been brought under control, according to the official Emirates News Agency.

The state-owned ADNOC is one of the largest oil and gas producers in the world, serving as the primary driver of the UAE's economy.

Iran says Strait of Hormuz remains closed, UAE's two vessels reportedly attacked