China's permanent representative to the United Nations Fu Cong on Friday called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza while stressing that humanitarian issues must not be politicized.
As the latest round of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in Gaza stretches into its 10th month, the United Nations Security Council met at the UN headquarters in New York to discuss the humanitarian situation in Gaza at the request of China, Russia and Algeria.
"The reason we are calling for this meeting is that we are very concerned about the humanitarian situation in Gaza, and we do believe that it's time to stop the killing. And we urge the U.S. to put more pressure on Israel to achieve a ceasefire as soon as possible," Fu told the China Central Television (CCTV) ahead of the meeting.
Briefing the Security Council, Antonia Marie De Meo, deputy commissioner-general for Operational Support with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) said despite the Security Council's adoption of multiple resolutions, the humanitarian situation in Gaza is still worsening, and 166 UNRWA staff members had been killed and about two-thirds of its facilities were subject to military attacks.
Social order in Gaza has broken down due to the ongoing conflict, and the United Nations and non-governmental organizations are working hard to provide assistance for the most vulnerable people, Muhannad Hadi, deputy UN special coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, told the Security Council meeting.
Addressing the meeting, Fu said the conflict in Gaza has caused an unprecedented, ever-worsening humanitarian catastrophe, with nearly 40,000 innocent civilians having lost their lives.
The red lines of international law and international humanitarian law have been crossed repeatedly. The unfolding tragedy in Gaza is testing the moral conscience of humanity and rocking the very foundation of international justice, said the Chinese envoy.
"It has been almost two months since Security Council Resolution 2735 was adopted. While certain countries keep asserting that negotiations for a ceasefire are underway, Israel has continued its large-scale military operations over the past two months. The bombings and attacks have not stopped even for a moment, and innocent civilians are dying each and every single day," he said.
The Chinese envoy voiced strong opposition to attempts to attack and discredit UNRWA and to throw a spanner in the works of UNRWA's mandate implementation.
In an alarming development, an UNRWA humanitarian transport vehicle was recently shot by Israeli forces, he noted, calling for ensuring the safety and security of humanitarian workers in Gaza and a thorough investigation into the incident in question.
The intra-Palestinian groups held a reconciliation dialogue in Beijing and reached important consensus, making a significant step forward for upholding the principle of Palestinians governing Palestine and preparing for post-war governance in Gaza, Fu said.
Stressing that China firmly supports the independent Palestinian statehood, he called for broader international efforts to put the Palestinian question back on the right track towards a political settlement.
Many other countries also expressed concerns over the failure in implementing Security Council Resolution 2735, demanding that Israel guarantee humanitarian access in compliance with UN resolutions and decisions of the International Court of Justice, and calling on Israel to immediately stop the expansion of illegal settlements in the West Bank.
Chinese envoy urges immediate ceasefire in Gaza
Chinese envoy urges immediate ceasefire 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
