China Coast Guard Expels Philippine Vessel For Intruding Into South China Sea
The China Coast Guard (CCG) announced on Sunday that it had expelled a Philippine Coast Guard vessel that illegally intruded into waters adjacent to Huangyan Island in the South China Sea multiple times from February 2 to 9, noting that China’s responses were professional and reiterating its firm resolve to safeguard China’s national sovereignty. Experts said that the Philippines’ deliberate provocations around the Chinese Lunar New Year are intentional, and the move would not bring any benefit but will further erode mutual trust, disrupt the political atmosphere, and even affect the perception of Chinese people toward the Philippines. Gan Yu, spokesperson for the CCG said Philippine Coast Guard vessel 9701 illegally intruded into the waters adjacent to Huangyan Island multiple times from February 2 to 9, despite warning calls from the CCG. The CCG took measures to control the course of the Philippine vessel and forcefully drove it away, handling the situation in a professional manner and in according with norms.
Source: Global Times
China Calls For International Efforts To Reduce Spill-Over Effects Of Israel-Palestine Conflict
Dai Bing, China’s deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, called for international efforts to mitigate the spill-over effects of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on the situation in Iraq. He stated at an open meeting of the Security Council on Iraq that the Palestinian-Israeli conflict has been escalating for some time, which has also had an impact on Iraq. There have been multiple attacks in Iraq, and the security situation is worrisome. China calls on all parties, especially the influential powers, to respect Iraq’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, exercise calm and restraint, refrain from escalating tensions, and play a constructive role in cooling down the situation.
Source: China Military
Xi Extends Chinese New Year Greetings To U.S. Lincoln High School Teachers
Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan, on Sunday replied to a Chinese New Year greeting card from teachers and students of U.S. Lincoln High School, extending their best wishes of the Year of the Dragon. In a greeting card sent to the teachers and students, Xi and Peng invited them to visit China more often, including participating in exchange and study programs which invite 50,000 young Americans to China, so as to contribute to the friendship between the two peoples, especially among the young people. Earlier, teachers and students of the school in the U.S. Washington State sent a New Year greeting card to Xi, Peng and the Chinese people, extending their best wishes for happiness and health in the new year. More than 100 teachers and students signed the card.
Source: ecns.cn
China’s Industrial Enterprises Register Steady Recovery In 2023
China’s industrial enterprises saw steady recovery in 2023 and their combined revenues increased for a fifth straight month, official data showed. Last year, revenues of major industrial firms with annual main business revenue of at least 20 million yuan (about 2.82 million U.S. dollars) went up 1.1 percent year on year, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). In the fourth quarter of 2023, the revenues of these enterprises rose 3.2 percent year on year, while the growth rate was 2.9 percentage points faster than in the previous quarter. The operation of industrial enterprises maintained an expansion trend and showed strong resilience, creating favourable conditions for the continuous recovery of their profits, said NBS statistician Yu Weining. In the next stage, China will expand domestic demand, stimulate the vitality of various business entities, promote self-reliance in high-level science and technology and accelerate the development of a modern industrial system, as part of efforts to promote the high-quality development of the industrial economy, Yu added.
Source: China.org.cn
Foreign Leaders Extend Best Wishes For Chinese Lunar New Year
Foreign leaders have sent their best wishes to the Chinese people and overseas Chinese around the world who celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival. China on Saturday rang in the Year of the Dragon. Regarded as the most celebrated holiday among the Chinese, the Spring Festival signifies a time of joyful family reunions and a slew of cultural events. French President Emmanuel Macron extended his blessings for the Lunar New Year in the Chinese language on social media on Saturday. Thailand, Japan, Austria, South Africa and other world leaders also expressed their wishes.
Source: CGTN
Senior CPC Official Emphasizes Security During Spring Festival Holiday
Senior Communist Party of China official Chen Wenqing on Thursday urged police nationwide to fulfil their duty to safeguard security during the upcoming Spring Festival holiday, and their duty to maintain continuous social stability in Beijing and across the country. Chen, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the Commission for Political and Legal Affairs of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks when inspecting primary-level work on legal affairs in Beijing. Chen noted that legal affairs organs face the challenging task of safeguarding social security and stability. He urged them to remain aware of potential risks and consider worst-case scenarios in their work. He stressed that security plans should be implemented fully to ensure public safety during the Spring Festival holiday, which begins on Saturday.
Source: China Daily
