2024 Summit of FOCAC maps out blueprint for modernization in China, Africa: Xi

China

2024 Summit of FOCAC maps out blueprint for modernization in China, Africa: Xi

2024-09-05 23:13 Last Updated At：09-06 13:27

The 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) has drawn a new blueprint for the joint advancement of modernization between China and Africa and for the building of a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future, said Chinese President Xi Jinping during a meeting with visiting Prime Minister Patrice Trovoada of Sao Tome and Principe in Beijing on Thursday afternoon.

Trovoada is in the Chinese capital for the 2024 Summit of the FOCAC, which runs from Wednesday to Friday, and for an official visit.

"At the summit, leaders from China and Africa have reviewed the historical experience of China-Africa friendship and charted a new course for our joint efforts to push for modernization and the building of a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future. We are grateful to you for your important contributions to this endeavor. Facts have proved that Sao Tome and Principe's return to the big family of China-Africa friendship and cooperation fully serves the common interests of the people of the two countries. [As the Chinese proverb goes,] 'don't forget the well-diggers when you drink from this well.' The historic contributions made by Mr. Prime Minister to this end will never be forgotten by the two peoples," Xi said.

For his part, Trovoada hailed China's assistance to his country.

"It is a great pleasure to meet you again, Your Excellency, Mr. President Xi Jinping. I feel that visiting China is like visiting the home of our friend. We are very pleased with the relevant measures announced by the Chinese side, which is a testament to efforts of you and China to promote the building of an Africa-China community with a shared future. China's participation can help the people of Sao Tome and Principe solve their problems," the prime minister said.

The three-day FOCAC summit, which opened on Wednesday, is the largest diplomatic event hosted by China in recent years, with the highest attendance of foreign leaders.

Themed "Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future," it aims to strengthen friendship and outline future cooperation between the two sides.

Zhejiang, Jiangsu evacuate residents as Typhoon Bebinca lands in east China

2024-09-16 11:19 Last Updated At：11:37

Authorities in east China's coastal provinces Zhejiang and Jiangsu have launched emergency evacuation of residents to help mitigate the impact of Typhoon Bebinca -- the 13th typhoon of the year.

In Zhejiang's Pinghu City, communities have started the relocation work. The old town area of Xindai, home to about 1,400 permanent residents, including some 30 percent elderly, has been a focus of evacuation efforts.

Over 50 elderly residents have been evacuated to a temporary courtyard shelter, where they have plenty of space for meals and walking around. The shelter is equipped with folding beds, food, drinking water and medical staff standing by to address any health concerns.

The province also raised its emergency response for typhoon prevention to level II.

In Jiangsu Province, Nantong City has conducted comprehensive safety inspections and organized evacuations in key areas.

Nantong's Rugao Port on the Yangtze River was shutdown on Sunday afternoon.

All workers at the Zhangjiagang-Jingjiang-Rugao Bridge construction site -- located at a river shoal -- are evacuated ahead of the storm attack.

"From the temporary ferry to the Rugao-Zhangjiagang ferry, we have evacuated a total of 428 people. So far, all construction personnel of the Zhangjinggao Bridge within the scope of this construction site have been evacuated to our shelter," said Ding Xiaoxing, chief engineer of Rugao Water Affairs Department.

Authorities in Nantong has evacuated more than 1,400 people and over 200 vessels along the coastal area under its jurisdiction.

Making landfall in Shanghai on Monday morning, Typhoon Bebinca is the most powerful tropical cyclone directly hitting the Chinese financial hub in more than seven decades.