Pro-Palestinian demonstrations demanding an end to arms shipments to Israel were held on Saturday in major cities around the world as the current round of Palestine-Israel conflict approaches its first anniversary.
Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets in London on Saturday, calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and an end to the ever-escalating conflicts in the Middle East.
They also asked British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to stop all arms trade with Israel.
"Stop providing them with the means to commit genocide, stop being complicit in a genocide. They need to stop all arms [deliveries], and sanctions, just like they would do on any other country," said Joseph, a protester.
Demonstrators also rallied in support of Palestine in Paris, Rome, Berlin, Madrid, Barcelona and Cape Town on the day, demanding an end to violence in Gaza and the wider Middle East and protesting arms deliveries to Israel by Western countries.
The Palestinian death toll from the ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip had risen to 41,825, Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement on Saturday.
The statement said 96,900 others had been injured by Israeli attacks since the current round of the conflict broke out on October 7, 2023.
Rallies worldwide protest arms supplies to Israel
Rallies worldwide protest arms supplies to Israel
Macao has been emerging as a global hub for conventions and exhibitions in recent years by exploring the enormous opportunities in the sector, driving the region to advance its economic diversification and embrace a brighter future.
Macao has received many awards this year, such as the Best Convention City (Asia) and the Best BT-MICE City, showcasing the recognition for and influence of Macao's exhibition industry.
More than 1,000 electronic game enthusiasts from all over the world gathered recently in Macao to participate in a esports themed event.
Su Zhili, organizer of the event, said that Macao's rich experience in hosting large-scale events, coupled with its good infrastructure, has driven him to choose the region as an ideal destination to hold such an activity.
"Macao has held many similar large-scale events. It has rich experience, and the facilities at the venue are relatively mature, so we can start our work comfortably," said Su.
During the first three quarters of 2024, Macao held more than 1,000 conferences and exhibitions in total.
"We will invite more professional, special conferences to be held in Macao and also cultivate more exhibition brands with international influence in Macao, so as to promote Macao's exhibitions to be more market-oriented, professional, international, digital and greener from various aspects. This is our goal," said Elaine Wong, member of the Macao Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute.
In addition, multiple large exhibitions and conferences, such as the Macao International Trade and Investment fair, the Macao Franchise Expo, and the International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum, are held regularly in Macao.
With the introduction of a series of policies and measures to facilitate the exchanges between the mainland and Macao, as well as the construction and development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, Macao's convention and exhibition industry will embrace more opportunities for development in the foreseeable future.
"We have such a good industrial base in the Greater Bay Area. The mode of 'Convention and Exhibition + Industry' not only integrates the industries of Macao, but also the industries of the Greater Bay Area. In addition, Macao actively integrates into the national development and plays a role in the Belt and Road. Why are we so confident in Macao's convention and exhibition sector? Because it is backed by the motherland, and the country gives Macao great support," said Alan Ho, chairman of the Macao Association of Convention, Exhibition and Tourism Sectors.
Macao emerges as global hub for conventions and exhibitions, driving economic diversification and international recognition
