Syrians condemn Israel for pager explosions in Lebanon

Syrian people have condemned Israel for the communication device explosions in Lebanon on Tuesday and Wednesday, and called on the international community to take steps to stop such atrocities.

Lebanese officials reported that the death toll from the explosions targeting pagers and handheld radios used by Hezbollah members across Lebanon had risen to 37, with 2,931 people injured.

Meanwhile, a war monitor agency in Lebanon's neighbor Syria said four Hezbollah fighters were injured as their communication devices exploded inside a vehicle in Damascus, adding that two similar incidents took place in two other areas of the city, respectively.

No Israeli officials have claimed responsibility for the blasts though Hezbollah has attributed them to Israel.

In interviews with China Central Television (CCTV) on Thursday, people in Damascus accused Israel of being responsible for the attacks that also caused civilian casualties.

"These incidents indicate that Israel wants war. This must be ended, because tens of thousands of civilians, including children, women and elderly people, are suffering and dying because of Israel's actions," said Wasim, a local.

"This is a heinous crime, an unexpected new type of aggression. Israel should be responsible for it. Israel is attempting to destroy Palestine by all means," said Mohammed, another Damascus resident.

"The Syrian people condemn the explosions in Lebanon. We call on the international community to stop the violence, whether in Gaza, southern Lebanon or in other Arab countries. This is completely unacceptable and must be completely rejected," said Dima, a local resident.

Syrians condemn Israel for pager explosions in Lebanon

Syrians condemn Israel for pager explosions in Lebanon

Syrians condemn Israel for pager explosions in Lebanon

Syrians condemn Israel for pager explosions in Lebanon

Syrians condemn Israel for pager explosions in Lebanon

Government authorities in Dehua County of east China's coastal province of Fujian have developed efficient new forms of direct contact between the government and local enterprises to solve problems in business operation -- breakfast meeting, on-the-spot meeting, tea party, etc.

The county, known as "World Ceramics Capital," is home to more than 4,000 ceramic companies, almost all of which are privately operated.

The new forms of direct government-business contact have served as an important platform for the businesses to give their suggestions and seek help from authorities.

"I have taken part in [such events] many times. In May this year, the Development and Reform Bureau hosted a symposium. I had just been granted the right to the use of a plot of land the year before last, but the boundary was occupied by village roads. So, I brought the problem [to the symposium]. The bureau attached great importance to it and assigned exclusive personnel to follow it up. The problem was solved in August. This time I also have a demand," said Xu Jianyong, manager of a ceramics company.

"The tea party is for us to talk freely, to say whatever we want to say. Normally, if we speak up about our problems at the event, the relevant authorities will come to us just the next day to learn about what has happened," said Qiu Zhenke, head of another ceramics company.

At one recent "tea party" hosted by the Development and Reform Bureau of Dehua County, business operators brought forward opinions ranging from labor demand, gas price, construction of new energy charging piles, to fund bonus policy. They even took advantage of the occasion to consult the government on relevant policies.

Although the "tea party" was scheduled to last only an hour and a half, the bureau extended the event to three hours to address the concerns of every participant.

"For the questions involving the jurisdiction of the Development and Reform Bureau, we would give replies one by one on the spot. For those involving the jurisdiction of other relevant departments, we would make a task list and refine and specify them. We would coordinate with the relevant departments to formulate solutions, and strive to reply to the entrepreneurs one by one within half a month," said Zhou Yiguo, director of the Development and Reform Bureau of Dehua County.

"Today's event is fruitful. First of all, it's very pragmatic, and second, it's very timely. And the officials have given us more efficient solutions," said Lin Xiaowa, manager of a local ceramics company.

Fujian government-business tea parties enable efficient problem solving for private companies

Fujian government-business tea parties enable efficient problem solving for private companies