China launches partnership with 26 African countries to boost digital transformation

China and 26 African countries issued a China-Africa Action Plan for Digital Cooperation and Development on Monday, aiming to promote cooperation and development in the digital sector.

African officials and representatives from the telecommunication industry gathered in Beijing to strengthen digital cooperation with China and expand collaborations. Over the next three years, the countries will work together to implement ten digital transformation demonstration projects and train at least 1,000 personnel in the field.

"China-Africa cooperation in the digital field has huge potential and broad prospects. China will continue to adhere to the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, actively carry out digital cooperation with African countries - to help build a 'Digital Africa'," said Jin Zhuanglong, the country's minister of Industry and Information Technology.

Jin said every Chinese city has been covered by the 5G network, which has empowered 74 national economic categories, including industry, power generation, mining, ports and other fields. After learning about China's digital development status, African representatives said they looked forward to the prospects of building a "Digital Africa."

"For us Africans, China is a very trustworthy partner, particularly when it comes to digital cooperation. China is very advanced in telecommunication and as the minister has said, now all Chinese people in urban and rural areas, have access to the internet. So, we really need to see that in Africa through the cooperation with China," said Omer Mohamed Ahmed Siddig, ambassador of the Republic of Sudan to China.

"For Liberia and China, there has been long-time relations. So we would like to see that improve at the level of Africa. For the digital spheres, we are very interested in working along with China to ensure that development in the digital era is achieved in Africa," said Sekou Kromah, minister of Posts and Telecommunications of Republic of Liberia.

China and the African countries agreed to seize opportunities in the digital era, cooperate in digital policy, infrastructure, cutting-edge innovation, digital transformation, security and nurturing talent.

China launches partnership with 26 African countries to boost digital transformation

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday that Israel will implement a ceasefire deal to bring a halt to its conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon, but will respond forcefully to any violation.

Netanyahu made the remarks in a televised speech after Israel’s security cabinet approved the ceasefire agreement.

The duration of the ceasefire depends on what happens in Lebanon, Netanyahu said in the address, translated from Hebrew. "We will enforce the agreement and respond forcefully to any violation."

A ceasefire agreement with Lebanon will enable Israel to focus on the threat from Iran, rebuild its forces and improve its weapons, he said, adding that Israel will make every effort to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

Earlier in the day, Israel's security cabinet held a meeting to discuss the ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah in Lebanon even as Israel launched a series of airstrikes targeting central Beirut and the city's southern suburbs on the same day, killing seven and injuring 37.

The security cabinet approved the ceasefire by a majority of ten votes to one, with far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir casting the sole dissenting vote, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office said in a statement. Israel's Channel 12 TV News reported Tuesday night that the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire deal will take effect Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. local time (0800 GMT).

Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati said on his social media account that the Lebanese caretaker government will hold a ministerial meeting on Wednesday morning to discuss the current situation and the latest trends in the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel.

Netanyahu says Israel will enforce ceasefire deal, respond forcefully to any violation