China's early-season rice yield stood at around 28.17 billion kilograms this year, exceeding the threshold of 28 billion kilograms for four consecutive years, data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed on Friday.
The output dropped by 0.6 percent year on year, primarily due to heavy rain and flooding in the country's leading grain-producing regions since April, the NBS explained.
The NBS also noted that the sown areas for China's early-season rice remained largely stable. The early-season rice planting area nationwide was 71.322 million mu (around 4.75 million hectares) this year, up 0.5 percent compared to the previous year.
China's early rice output exceeds threshold of 28 billion kgs for four consecutive years
Displaced Palestinians in Egypt marked Eid al-Fitr, a celebration traditionally filled with family gatherings, with profound sorrow over their separation from loved ones in the Gaza Strip.
Eid-al-Fitr marks the end of the Muslim holy month of fasting (Ramadan) and the beginning of the new month in the lunar calendar. It is typically a time for joyous family reunions across the Muslim world.
However, thousands of displaced Palestinians in Egypt spent Eid al-Fitr without the embrace of family this year.
Naema Alsoury, one of the many Palestinians who fled the war in Gaza seeking medical treatment in Egypt, reflected on the painful reality of her situation.
Her young son, who has suffered from eye cancer since he was four months old, requires constant care. As a mother of five, Naema Alsoury managed to bring four of her children to Egypt, while her eldest son and husband remained behind in Gaza.
"Eid al-Fitr in Egypt is beautiful but only for those with a clear mind. I woke up happy that the kids are excited to celebrate Eid. But as I saw cars with families going for the prayer-- husbands and wives together and families, I thought I can't hug my son or husband. I can't be truly happy during Eid. This is my third Eid here without my mother, my sister and my brothers. What Eid al-Fitr is that? I live in fear, because no one knows the fate of those in Gaza -- who will live and who will die," said Naema Alsoury.
Recently, one of Naema Alsoury's uncles, along with some other family members, managed to reach Egypt for medical treatment. Her nephew spoke of the stark differences in living conditions between Egypt and Gaza.
"My nephew pointed out to me the differences between Egypt and Gaza. I may have not paid attention to that. I was talking to them via video call. He told his mother, they have electricity. Their TV is on. They can charge their mobile phone anytime. We can go to the toilet any time and there is always water there. We don't have that in Gaza now," said Naema Alsoury.
Egyptians across many cities have used the annual Eid al-Fitr Prayer gathering to support Palestinians in the besieged enclave.
"Eid this year and the year before has been different because we are very sad about what's happening to our Palestinian Brothers, that they are getting forced to leave their land. They are facing injustice. As Egyptians we support our President's calls to reject displacement, they are our Arab brothers. We support them," said Islam El Hawary, an Egyptian citizen.
Displaced Palestinians in Egypt mark Eid al-Fitr amid heartache, separation from family
