Chinese envoy calls for political solutions, holistic approach to advance peace in Middle East

China's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Fu Cong on Wednesday local time put forward proposals to advance peace in the Middle East, calling for political solutions, fairness and justice, independence and self-reliance, and addressing both symptoms and root causes, during a Security Council open debate, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

Fu said that the situation in the Middle East remains tense, undermining regional peace and stability while also affecting the global economy and energy security and harming the common interests of all countries. He urged the international community to uphold an impartial position, pool efforts to promote peace, and work toward restoring stability to the Middle East, peace to its people, and peace to the world.

He then outlined four proposals on advancing peace in the Middle East. He called for resolving disputes through political means and peaceful approaches. Fu urged all parties to abide by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, bridge differences through dialogue and consultation, and refrain from the use or threat of force.

 He said the Security Council should fulfill its primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security and take active and responsible actions to advance political solutions to hotspot issues. Fu called on relevant parties to the Iran-related situation to exercise calm and restraint, halt actions that could escalate tensions, and resolve differences through political and diplomatic channels. He also urged all parties involved in the Lebanon-Israel situation to immediately cease hostilities and achieve a genuine ceasefire.

Second, he called for upholding fairness and justice and safeguarding regional stability under international law. Fu said the prolonged hotspot issues  in the Middle East stem in part from a lack of justice, non-implementation of relevant Security Council resolutions, and disregard for international law. 

He stressed the need to uphold the authority of the Security Council and international law, warning against selective application and a return to the law of the jungle. He urged the international community to intensify efforts to implement the two-state solution, reject any attempt to annex Palestinian territory, and support the early establishment of an independent Palestinian state and its full UN membership.

He also stressed independence and self-reliance, and called for the building of common security through solidarity and cooperation as the third point. Fu said the path from turmoil to stability in the Middle East lies in overcoming major-power geopolitical rivalry and adopting a common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security approach to build a regional framework that accommodates the legitimate concerns of all parties. 

He said Syria should adhere to the principle of “Syrian-led and Syrian-owned” governance, advance an inclusive political transition, and firmly combat terrorism. He noted that the Golan Heights are internationally recognized as Syrian territory under occupation  and called for Israel’s full withdrawal as soon as possible. He also urged all parties in Yemen to demonstrate political will, restart the peace process, and work toward reconciliation.

Fourth, he called for addressing both symptoms and root causes and promoting long-term stability through development and revitalization. Fu said the international community should deepen cooperation with Middle Eastern countries, support sustainable development and post-conflict reconstruction, and help improve livelihoods to create conditions for peace. 

He called for opposition to protectionism and unilateral actions and rejected illegal unilateral sanctions beyond the scope of Security Council resolutions. He also warned that disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz would undermine global supply chains, trade, and energy security, and called for the restoration of normal navigation.

Myanmar’s President Min Aung Hlaing to Pay a State Visit to China

At the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, President of Myanmar Min Aung Hlaing will pay a state visit to China from June 15 to 19, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson announced on Friday.

During the visit, President Xi will hold talks with President Min Aung Hlaing. Premier Li Qiang and Zhao Leji, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, will meet with him respectively, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told a daily press briefing.

Noting that China and Myanmar are traditional friendly neighbors and a community with a shared future, Lin said over the 76 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, guided by the spirit of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence jointly advocated by the two sides, China and Myanmar have stood together through thick and thin, looked out for each other and forged solidarity and cooperation, promoting China-Myanmar relations to achieve considerable progress.

Lin said through President Min Aung Hlaing's visit, China looks forward to working with Myanmar to carry forward the "pauk-phaw" (fraternal) friendship, deepen the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, secure more tangible results in building the China-Myanmar community with a shared future, and deliver further benefits to the two peoples.

China ready to enhance cooperation with Myanmar's new government: top diplomat

Wang Yi, Chinese foreign minister and member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, held talks with his Myanmar counterpart Tin Maung Swe in Beijing on Friday.

China stands ready to work with Myanmar's new government to strengthen high-level exchanges, enhance political mutual trust, and deepen strategic cooperation, in order to deliver more practical outcomes in building a China-Myanmar community with a shared future and to help Myanmar accelerate development, he said.

Chinese Embassy in Romania expresses serious concern, firm opposition over Romanian lawmaker's visit to Taiwan region and related remarks

The Chinese Embassy in Romania on Saturday expressed serious concern and firm opposition to a recent visit to Taiwan region by Romanian lawmaker Alexandru Muraru and his subsequent erroneous remarks concerning Taiwan region, saying his actions violated Romania's official policy and advocated for the DPP authorities' "Taiwan independence" separatist agenda.

According to the statement published on the embassy's official WeChat account, a spokesperson for the embassy said Taiwan is part of China, and both the mainland and Taiwan belong to one China. This is a historical and legal fact, the true status quo across the Taiwan Straits, and an important component of the post-World War II international order.

The spokesperson said that recognizing the government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legal government representing the whole of China and adhering to the one-China principle are widely accepted by the international community and constitute a basic norm governing international relations.

Romania established diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China in 1949, the spokesperson noted, adding that the one-China principle has served as the political foundation of bilateral relations and ensured the steady development of China-Romania ties despite changes in the international landscape.

The statement noted that the Taiwan question is China's internal affair and lies at the core of China's core interests. "Just as a province or region of Romania cannot separate from the country for any reason, Taiwan cannot separate from China for any reason," the spokesperson said.

Quoting the Chinese saying, "Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire," the spokesperson said Muraru's actions constituted blatant interference in China's internal affairs and support for "Taiwan independence," adding that such behavior not only runs counter to basic diplomatic norms but also raises questions about whether he is genuinely acting in Romania's interests.

China FM slams Philippine Defense Secretary Teodoro of having ​no gratitude for Chinese aid, exploiting livelihood issues for political stunt

China Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Philippine Defense Secretary ⁠Gilberto Teodoro has repeatedly made fallacious remarks about China and his latest statements once again prove his having no gratitude for key Chinese commodities and exploiting issues of people's livelihoods to make political stunt. 

Mao made the remarks on Tuesday, commenting on media reports that Teodoro alleged at the Shangri-La Dialogue that China had provided fertilizer and fuel to the Philippines but did not show good faith on a long-term basis, and "no matter how they sugarcoat their assistance to ​us, it ⁠doesn't cut the mustard." He also claimed the Philippines were under severe threat territory-wise and politically by China.

Mao stated that Teodoro's latest words shows that he completely disregards the welfare of the Philippine people, lacks any sense of gratitude, only cares about his personal interests, and is even exploiting livelihood issues for political stunt, which damages China-Philippines relations and mutual trust, and is completely contrary to the interests of the Philippine nation and its people.

Mao further asked: The Philippine side should seriously reflect on this. If it allows such a person to do whatever he wants, how can China continue to provide material assistance to the Philippines? Who will ultimately foot the bill? Whose interests will be harmed?

Mao noted that Philippine leaders have repeatedly expressed their willingness to properly resolve differences with China and promote the easing of bilateral relations. It is hoped that the Philippines will match its words with deeds, strictly discipline its officials, and not allow a few clowns to repeatedly undermine bilateral efforts to stabilize the relationship, Mao added.

Xi encourages children to carry forward revolutionary traditions

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, has called for inheriting revolutionary traditions in a reply letter to student docents at the memorials of the birthplaces of the CPC in east China's Shanghai and Zhejiang Province.

Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, encouraged them to build knowledge and enhance capabilities, and extended International Children's Day greetings to children nationwide.

Xi replies to letter from Chinese, U.S. students participating in "A Shared Voyage: China-U.S. Youth Friendship Program"

Chinese President Xi Jinping has replied to a letter from Chinese and U.S. students participating in "A Shared Voyage: China-U.S. Youth Friendship Program," encouraging them to make new contributions to the stable, healthy and sustainable development of China-U.S. relations.

"I am delighted to know that the students from both countries had embarked on an unforgettable friendship voyage aboard the China-U.S. Youth Friendship vessel," Xi said, adding that the story of China-U.S. friendship is written by the people, and the future of China-U.S. relations is shaped by the youth.

Since the launch of the initiative of inviting 50,000 young Americans to China for exchange and study programs in a five-year span in November 2023, over 50,000 young Americans have visited China, achieving the target two-and-a-half years ahead of schedule, Xi said, adding that through these interactions, young people from both countries have reached out to each other, deepened mutual understanding, forged profound friendships, and opened a new chapter in friendly exchanges between the two peoples.

Noting that young people, full of vitality and dreams, represent the future and hope of China-U.S. relations and of the world, Xi called on more Chinese and U.S. youth to take up the baton of friendship, learn from each other, progress together, and become "envoys of friendship" bridging the Pacific.

Recently, Chinese and U.S. students who took part in "A Shared Voyage: China-U.S. Youth Friendship Program" wrote to President Xi, thanking him for the "50,000 in Five Years" initiative, which has provided valuable opportunities for young people of both countries to engage in learning and exchange.

China says upholding non-proliferation treaty serves common interests of all

Upholding the purposes and principles of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons serves the common interests of all state-parties, Chinese Ambassador for Disarmament Affairs Shen Jian said Friday.

Speaking at the 11th review conference on the treaty, Shen said China deeply regretted that the conference failed to reach a consensus on substantive outcomes.

Over the past four weeks, all parties exchanged views in depth on the current international security situation, comprehensively reviewed the implementation of the treaty, and tried to explore effective measures to advance the goals of nuclear non-proliferation, nuclear disarmament and the peaceful use of nuclear energy, Shen said.

Despite differences on many issues, all parties share the objectives of upholding and strengthening the treaty's authority and effectiveness, and promoting common and universal security, he said.

Shen said that although the parties failed to reach a consensus on substantive outcomes, the treaty remains the cornerstone of international nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, and an indispensable pillar of the postwar international security architecture.

China calls on all state-parties to practice genuine multilateralism, pursue the concept of common security, strive to improve the international and regional security environment, eliminate the root causes of nuclear weapons proliferation, create more favorable conditions for advancing the nuclear disarmament process, and expand international cooperation on the peaceful use of nuclear energy, he said.

Shanxi coal mine explosion footage released; safety inspections conducted across coal mining regions in China

State broadcaster CCTV News released footage on Monday capturing the moment of a gas explosion at Liushenyu coal mine in Qinyuan county of Changzhi, North China's Shanxi Province — a harrowing lesson that has sounded an alarm for coal mine safety across China, prompting officials in multiple regions to go underground to oversee workplace safety.

The video shows that the accident occurred at 7:29 pm on Friday, when the explosion struck without warning, instantly shattering the calm of underground operations. As seen in the released footage, thick smoke billowed from the explosion, quickly engulfing the surveillance screen and leaving nothing visible.

CCTV News also reported that miners who survived the explosion recalled their harrowing experience, still haunted by the terrifying moments. One injured miner, Wang Jintai, recounted: "It was around 6 or 7 pm that day when a huge explosion erupted. The blast rushed out and knocked all of us down. I lost consciousness immediately."

"We couldn't see anything — the dust was so thick, like being in a smoke chamber," Wang said.

Another injured miner, Liu Sijie, told CCTV News that he ran for nearly two hours straight. "Having narrowly escaped death, I truly felt how precious life is."

The explosion has left 82 people dead, with two still missing and 128 injured, local officials said at a press conference on Saturday. 

An investigation team sent by China's State Council has pledged a rigorous and uncompromising investigation into the deadly coal mine gas explosion. It also urged local authorities to thoroughly overhaul workplace safety at mines, strike hard against illegal and unlawful operations, and crack down upon practices such as falsification of safety-monitoring data, unclear headcounts of underground personnel, and illegal subcontracting and subleasing, Xinhua News Agency reported on Saturday. 

Following the explosion at the Liushenyu coal mine, officials across various regions in Shanxi have conducted safety inspections on the local mining industry.

On Saturday, Chai Zhe, secretary of the Zezhou county Party Committee in Shanxi Province, conducted an unannounced inspection at a local coal mining enterprise, touring underground operations to examine gas extraction and workplace safety conditions, news portal chinanews.com reported on Monday.

Also on Saturday evening, Wang Linbo, secretary of the Fenxi county Party Committee, and Huo Junbo, deputy secretary of the county Party Committee and county mayor, led a team to conduct an in-depth inspection at a local mining company, per chinanews.com. 

Through the video monitoring system at the dispatch center, they checked the operation of key links including underground excavation, transportation, and gas monitoring. They also inspected the core underground coal mining area, scrutinizing critical aspects such as roadway support, ventilation facilities, gas monitoring, and electromechanical transportation along the way, chinanews.com reported.

Beyond Shanxi Province, where the coal mine accident occurred, leading officials in other regions of China have also gone underground to oversee workplace safety.

For instance, in Hegang, another coal‑rich city in Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Han Yang, standing member of the CPC Xing'an district Committee and deputy governor of Xing'an district, inspected a key local coal mine on Sunday. He examined working face support, ventilation systems, fire prevention and control management, as well as the implementation of control measures for major risk areas, chinanews.com reported.

In Liupanshui, Southwest China's Guizhou Province — another coal‑mining city —local officials also conducted an inspection at a local colliery. Zhao Qingqiang, secretary of the Shuicheng district Party Committee, took an overhead passenger system deep into the fully mechanized working face of a local mine to assess the work safety conditions and mining succession arrangements at the working area.

In Huanggang, Central China's Hubei Province, Liu Ting, deputy secretary and district governor of Huangmei district, led a team on Sunday morning to the underground operations site of a local mine. 

They conducted a meticulous, item‑by‑item inspection of six critical systems —underground roof management, ventilation, water control and prevention, monitoring and sensing, emergency broadcasting, and communication links — along with other key operational aspects.

'Space renovation' stock frenzy cools as 73 staff cash out over 91 m yuan in 3 days

Gold Mantis, a traditional interior decoration company, recently became one of the hottest stocks in China's A-share market after being linked to trendy concepts including commercial aerospace and data centers, despite having little direct connection to either industry, the China News Weekly reported Tuesday. 

The company's stock surged more than 136 percent within 15 trading days starting April 16, hitting 11 daily limit ups and climbing from around 3.3 yuan ($0.49) to 8.4 yuan per share. 

The rally was triggered after Gold Mantis signed a strategic cooperation memorandum with Vietnam's Sun Group in April. Although there was speculation that the cooperation could involve projects worth $2.3 billion, the company later clarified the memorandum was only a non-binding preliminary agreement.

On April 22, Gold Mantis announced that its Vietnam subsidiary had secured an interior decoration contract worth about 400 million yuan for the T2 terminal project at Phu Quoc International Airport in Vietnam, according to the Security Times on April 23. 

Despite being a standard airport decoration project, investors quickly associated the company with the "commercial aerospace" sector, jokingly calling it "the first space renovation stock."

Some investors also pointed to the company's previous participation in non-core decoration and electromechanical support projects for Huawei cloud data centers and commercial launch facilities in South China's Hainan Province, helping attach labels such as "commercial aerospace," "data center," and "Vietnam expansion" to the stock.

Liu Chunsheng, an associate professor at the Central University of Finance and Economics, said such concept driven rallies often rely on investors amplifying marginal businesses that contribute very little to a company's actual revenue, while using popular technology labels to attract speculative capital.

Liu noted that some funds take advantage of low valuation stocks that have traded sideways for a long period, accumulating positions before pushing prices sharply higher through market hype, even when the company repeatedly clarifies that its core business fundamentals have not changed.

However, the frenzy now appears to be cooling. Gold Mantis shares hit the daily drop limit again on Wednesday, closing at 6.21 yuan per share. 

Meanwhile, reports that 73 employees collectively cashed out at least 91.32 million yuan worth of shares have further dampened market sentiment, accelerating the stock's recent pullback.