Malaysia has been grappling with sustained cross-border haze for weeks -- despite repeated rainfall, the polluted air shrouding Kuala Lumpur shows little sign of dispersing, with the national weather agency cautioning that a clear timeline for relief remains elusive.
In the capital, air quality readings have held at unhealthy levels for a fortnight, with neighboring districts faring no better as passing showers leave the smog largely intact.
"The rain that is occurring in Malaysia is not going to help in total to reduce the haze because the source is still there so the wind keeps on coming from that direction to our country," said Ambun Dindang, the deputy director general of the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MET Malaysia).
That assessment from the country's weather agency points across the border, where forest and land fires have been burning in multiple parts of Indonesia in recent weeks, sending smoke drifting into neighboring countries. The persistent haze has since taken a toll on a range of industries in Kuala Lumpur.
Open-air food stalls are a hallmark of the city, but the hazy weather has kept diners indoors, leaving many such businesses noticeably quiet.
"Because we're outdoors, some customers and tourists don't want to sit outside. [Due to the haze] our customer traffic also decreases," said a local restaurant operator.
Daily life is bearing the strain beyond the food business as well, from school scheduling to commutes. Local governments and schools must adjust class arrangements based on official forecasts, and whether classes will be suspended has become parents' top concern, with some schools already closed as the pollution persists.
Authorities have reminded the public to monitor official air quality bulletins and weather updates, and to adjust their outdoor plans accordingly.
As to when the haze might finally lift, MET Malaysia says no definitive timeline can yet be offered, with any improvement contingent on a shift in wind direction.
Cross-border haze lingers over Malaysia as clearing timeline remains uncertain
Chinese Premier Li Qiang said in Dushanbe on Monday that China, upholding the spirit of the series of major initiatives and proposals put forward by President Xi Jinping, will continue to work to promote peace, stability and development in the Middle East.
In his meeting with Iran's First Vice President Mohammad-Reza Aref on the sidelines of the 25th meeting of the Council of Heads of Government (Prime Ministers) of Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Tajikistan's capital, Li also said that China has been making every effort to encourage peace and promote dialog.
Noting that China and Iran are both ancient civilizations with a long history of traditional friendship, Li said that over the 55 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, China-Iran relations have maintained steady and sound development and withstood the test of changing international circumstances.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Iran comprehensive strategic partnership, and China stands ready to take this opportunity to work with Iran to achieve new progress in exchanges and cooperation across various fields, Li said.
Noting that the situation in the Middle East has been turbulent since the beginning of this year, Li said that President Xi has made four propositions on safeguarding and promoting peace and stability in the Middle East and put forward a four-point proposal on promoting regional common security in the Middle East, which have resonated widely with countries in the region and the international community.
China believes that sovereignty and security of all countries should be respected, Li said, noting that all parties concerned should opt for peace, resume dialog and negotiations at an early date, and resolve differences through political and diplomatic means, so as to help restore peace and tranquility to the region at an early date.
Aref said that Iran attaches great importance to its relations with China and stands ready to maintain close exchanges at all levels, strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation across various fields, enhance coordination within multilateral frameworks such as the SCO and BRICS, and promote the sustained and in-depth development of the Iran-China comprehensive strategic partnership.
As a responsible major country, China has consistently supported multilateralism and worked to safeguard the common interests of Global South countries, which Iran appreciates, Aref said.
He said that the Iranian side appreciates China's consistent efforts to promote peace and bring an end to conflicts, welcomes and supports the important proposals and propositions put forward by President Xi to promote peace and security in the Middle East.
Aref expressed Iran's willingness to resolve conflicts and differences through dialog and consultation, and voiced hope for an early return to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding and the early restoration of peace and stability in the region.
China to continue promoting peace, stability in Middle East: Chinese premier
