The International Court of Justice (ICJ) opened its two-day hearings on Thursday regarding South Africa's request to halt Israel's military offensive in Gaza.
South Africa's Ambassador to the Netherlands Vusimuzi Madonsela said at the hearing that the recent Israeli ground military operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah is a serious violation of The Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, and the ICJ should take immediate emergency measures to stop Israel's brutal operation in Gaza.
South Africa requested to add the withdrawal of Israeli military from Rafah into the additional provisional measures, said Madonsela, adding that "South Africa found itself compelled to return to this Court" to "request the indication of additional provisional measures to prevent Israel's persistent acts of genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza".
In his final submissions, Madonsela requested the Court to order Israel to "cease its military operations in the Gaza Strip, including Rafah", "immediately, totally and unconditionally withdraw the Israeli army from the entirety of the Gaza Strip", and "take all effective measures to ensure and facilitate the unimpeded access to Gaza of UN and other officials engaged in the provision of humanitarian aid and assistance to the population of Gaza".
As the hearing went on, civilian groups held gatherings outside the Court, urging Israel to immediately stop its military operation in Gaza.
"To stop now immediately, not tomorrow, enough is enough. How many people must be dead to stop this occupy, this war against the civilian people. What happens now in Gaza [is] not against Hamas, [it is] against the Palestinian people," said Wartege Assad, president of the Palestinian Community in the Netherlands.
Israel's argument will be presented to the ICJ on Friday, with a ruling expected in the coming weeks.
Thursday's hearing marked the third session of the International Court of Justice on the Israeli "genocide case" at the request of South Africa. So far, many countries have joined South Africa in the accusation against Israel. Libya, Nicaragua and Colombia have filed formal application and Egypt recently said it will join the case.
UN court holds hearing on South Africa's plea against Israel's operations in Gaza
UN court holds hearing on South Africa's plea against Israel's operations in Gaza
UN court holds hearing on South Africa's plea against Israel's operations in Gaza
Known primarily for its coal production, the city of Taiyuan in Shanxi Province is undergoing a cultural transformation. As part of China's booming concert economy, Taiyuan is actively seeking to provide unforgettable experiences for music fans.
Local authorities are supporting businesses in capitalizing on the growing demand for immersive concert experiences.
Taiyuan has implemented innovative initiatives. The city offers free public transportation for concert attendees, including bus and subway rides, both during the concert period and for three days before and after the event .
Taiyuan's commitment to creating a vibrant concert atmosphere is evident throughout the city. Giant banners and posters promote upcoming events, while various support activities further enhance the experience.
At a recent concert, a CGTN correspondent witnessed the city's dedication to providing a memorable experience. Each fan was greeted with a personalized souvenir bag filled with local specialties. Additionally, a captivating drone performance delighted the audience, adding an extra layer of excitement to the event.
"We have both also been to several concerts before. But this is the first time we've enjoyed various perks. Some shops are offering free merchandise. There are shuttle buses. The concert ticket also provides free admission to other local attractions. I think it is really nice," a concertgoer said.
"I have attended several concerts in Taiyuan where I have had really great experiences," another concert fan said.
Taiyuan's thoughtful initiatives have not only delighted concertgoers but also stimulated the city's consumer activity.
"From April to September, Taiyuan hosted more than 10 concerts. We could feel the enthusiasm of the fans at each event. There was a noticeable increase in hotel bookings as well," said Ma Shuting, marketing manager of a local hotel.
The concert period has also boosted the street-stall economy. The area around the venue has been transformed into a vibrant marketplace, with hundreds of stalls offering a diverse range of goods and services, from snacks and concert merchandise to beauty treatments.
"Business is doing quite well because there are many people coming from both out of town and locally. The daily revenue is approximately between 2,000 and 3,000 yuan (about 282 to 423 U.S. dollars)," a vendor told CGTN.
To solidify its position as a leading performing arts center in Northern China, the local government has made a significant commitment to fostering the concert economy.
"All 11 government departments in Taiyuan have jointly introduced several measures to support the development of the concert economy. For concert organizers in Taiyuan that meet the criteria, subsidies ranging from 150,000 yuan to 800,000 yuan (about 21,200 to 113,000 U.S. dollars) will be provided. Additionally, the city government has also established a special task force to ensure the smooth running of large-scale concerts," said Liu Rui, deputy director of the Taiyuan Bureau of Culture and Tourism.
The concert economy holds immense potential for economic growth, as demonstrated by the impact of Taylor Swift and Coldplay concerts on Singapore's GDP, which was boosted by around 0.25 percent.
Taiyuan is positioning itself as a major player in the concert industry, with over 30 concerts scheduled for this year alone. These events are expected to attract nearly 800,000 fans and generate tens of billions of yuan in consumer spending.
The city's commitment to the concert economy reflects its proactive pursuit of new growth drivers. This not only boosts consumption in the culture and tourism sector but also contributes to the broader economic transition toward high-quality growth.
Taiyuan's thriving concert economy boosts cultural, tourism growth
