Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday expressed China's willingness to work with Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan to build the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project into a strategic channel benefiting the three countries and their people.
Xi made the remarks in a video message congratulating the signing of the intergovernmental agreement on the railway project among China, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan.
"The China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway is a strategic project for connectivity between China and Central Asia, and a landmark project in Belt and Road cooperation among the three countries. The signing of the intergovernmental agreement provides a solid legal foundation for the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project, marks that the project is turning from an idea into reality, and shows to the international community the three countries' determination of jointly enhancing cooperation and seeking development. China stands ready to work together with Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan to make further efforts in making all necessary preparations for the commencement of the construction, so as to ensure the early completion of the project, which will be a strategic channel benefiting the three countries and their people and driving economic and social development of the region," said Xi.
The signing ceremony of the intergovernmental agreement among the three countries on the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project was held in Beijing on Thursday.
President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov and President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev also sent congratulations via video messages.
China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway to become strategic channel benefiting three countries: Xi
China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway to become strategic channel benefiting three countries: Xi
Powerful winds brought by a sweeping cold front have battered many parts of China since Friday evening, prompting widespread weather warnings and emergency response measures.
China's meteorological authority renewed its orange alert for strong gales on Sunday morning.
Parts of north China -- including the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Shanxi Province, Hebei Province, and Beijing -- were experiencing or were expected to see winds of up to force 11 (blowing at speeds between 28.5 and 32.6 meters per second), according to the National Meteorological Center.
China has a four-tier weather warning system, with red indicating the most severe conditions, followed by orange, yellow, and blue.
In Laiyuan County, northern Hebei Province, damages to greenhouses, power lines were reported. Emergency crews responded quickly, and power was restored within hours.
In response to the severe weather, Laiyuan County also carried out inspections targeting vulnerable groups, including elderly residents living alone, to identify potential risks, and relocated hundreds to safer accommodations.
An outer layer of a wall at the entrance to a residential compound in Chizhou, in east China's Anhui Province, was torn down by strong winds and a brief thunderstorm that struck the city on Saturday. No injuries were reported.
The site has since been inspected, and repairs will begin once the winds subside. Local authorities are also conducting thorough inspections of tower cranes at construction sites, outdoor billboards, and shade roofs to eliminate potential falling hazards.
Meanwhile, in Zhuzhou, central China's Hunan Province, strong winds tore off the roof of a house, leaving one person trapped. Firefighters rushed to the scene after receiving the alert and quickly lifted the debris, moving the victim to safety. Emergency services were then called, and medical personnel transported the injured person to the hospital for treatment.
In Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, operations at several tourist attractions were suspended during the weekend due to strong winds. More than 50 personnel were assigned to patrol the Zhanqiao Bridge scenic area, which remains open, to ensure the safety of visitors.
The city's fisheries departments deployed dedicated teams to patrol anchored fishing vessels and assist fishermen with safety inspections.
All fishing boats were docked to shelter from the winds, and staff at offshore aquaculture sites were evacuated.
Gale-force winds batter parts of China, prompting emergency responses
