The recent escalation of Israeli military operation against Lebanon may drag the whole Middle East region into a wide-ranging regional war, said Lebanese Agriculture Minister Abbas Al-Haj Hassan in an interview with China Global Television Network.
Since Sept. 23, the Israeli army has intensified its airstrikes against Hezbollah targets across Lebanon, causing great civilian casualties and forcing residents in many areas to leave their homes.
"We and the entire region are concerned about Israel's attacks. Therefore, when we call for a ceasefire today, we are echoing the calls from many countries. Israel must take responsibility for the current situation. Do you think the Israeli government will heed this appeal? Based on past experiences, I believe the answer is likely to be negative, as dozens, if not hundreds, of international resolutions --especially the latest U.N. Security Council Resolution 2735 -- have not captured the attention of the Israeli government. We must describe what is happening now as a barbaric crime in history, unprecedented in both Lebanese and human history. Over the past year, we have suffered greatly, but in the last few hours and days, Israel's behavior has become increasingly blatant, completely disregarding any law, international norms, humanitarian, or moral constraints," said the minister.
After 247 days of the latest round of Palestinian-Israeli conflict in Gaza, the Security Council adopted Resolution 2735 on June 10 proposing a comprehensive three-phase ceasefire deal to end the conflict in Gaza, urging both Israel and Hamas to implement it fully and without delay and condition.
In the interview, Hassan said that Israel's airstrikes on Lebanon have caused huge economic losses because they target infrastructure and farmland.
"Therefore, I want to emphasize that if the humanitarian and economic losses have reached such a significant scale, you can imagine the extent of the losses in the agricultural sector. We are discussing not only the agricultural sector but also the labor force and import and export activities. What I want to convey is that we have been unable to secure key crops. Moreover, the Beqaa Valley is a vital component of Lebanon's economy and agriculture, as well as an important base for Lebanon's military reserves and supply. Currently, we are unable to cope with the destruction caused by the war. Israel's indiscriminate bombing has now spread to 83 villages and cities, including Baalbek (a city located east of the Litani River in the Beqaa Valley) and areas such as the Kola District of Beirut, and the situation in the south remains bleak. Additionally, the white phosphorus released by the Israeli army is igniting hundreds, if not thousands, of dunams (hundreds of hectares) of land each day, effectively turning these areas into scorched earth and forcing residents to flee," he said.
The Beqaa Valley is a fertile valley in eastern Lebanon and is Lebanon's most important farming region.
The conflict also has had a negative impact on all economic fields in his country, he said.
"There is no doubt that the war will lead to rising prices, which may result in a shortage of some products. However, our ministry is addressing this situation in great detail, despite the threats and bombings and some staff members are unable to access the bombed areas. Currently, the bombing has spread to the southern, western, and eastern regions of Lebanon, and the coastal areas have also been affected, extending even to the western Beqaa Valley and the farthest border between Lebanon and Syria," the minister said.
In the interview, Hassan extended his gratitude towards China's support for his country, particularly its financial assistance to refugees.
"As far as China's position is concerned, both the government and the people of China have consistently supported us and provided assistance following the crisis in 2019. We are deeply grateful for this. We see this as support that transcends politics, grounded in humanitarian and practical aid. This support is extremely important, and the relationship between our two countries is developing rapidly. We uphold a philosophy of prioritizing our own interests while also considering China's interests. Therefore, within this framework, we will strengthen cooperation with China to protect and support our people, enhance the development of the agricultural sector, and ensure food security," Hassan said.
Lebanon has been mired in an unprecedented financial crisis since late 2019. The collapse of the local currency and devaluation of wages, paralleled by heavy restrictions by banks on cash withdrawals, plunged the majority of the population into poverty.
Escalation of Israeli military operations pulls Middle East toward full-scale conflict: minister
The golden hues of autumn, from natural scenery to harvest scenes and rural attractions, have not only added a bright splash of color across China but also sparked a boom in rural tourism during the country's week-long National Day holiday.
The Sumushan National Forest Park in Ulanqab City of north China's Inner Mongolia has become a prime spot for tourists to bask in the golden sea of birch trees. These towering trees, adorned in their autumn glory, drew visitors from all directions to marvel at the vivid display of fall.
The park's high-altitude areas even offered a unique spectacle of frost mingling with golden leaves, creating a stunning mix of gold and silver, prompting countless tourists to stop and snap photos.
Heading west, the poplar forests in Jinta County of northwest China's Gansu Province also entered their prime season, with the golden landscape drawing in tourists from all over the country, eager to capture its beauty.
Photographers were especially drawn to the scene, with many visitors donning traditional regional attire to capture the attraction's striking backdrop in their photoshoots.
"I stumbled upon photos of Jinta's poplar forest online, and I was amazed by its beauty. The park even provides photoshoot services, and the photos turned out great," said Li Min, a visitor.
Meanwhile, Shapotou, a unique location in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region where the Tengger Desert meets the Yellow River, has emerged as another top destination.
Known for its stunning combination of desert, river, mountains and oases, Shapotou whose literal meaning is "high sand dunes", offers a range of activities, including camel rides, zip-lining, and sheepskin raft rides, a traditional mode of transportation along the Yellow River.
"The contrast of the desert and the Yellow River is something you rarely see. It's a striking combination. My favorite part was the sheepskin raft ride because it felt like I was truly connecting with the Yellow River," said Song Yiwei, a tourist.
In the first four days of the holiday, Shapotou received over 110,000 visitors, and by the end of the holiday, the site is expected to host more than 160,000 people.
The National Day holiday also aligns with the harvest season in many regions, further enriching the tourism experience.
A small town known as Ledao in Shuangliao City of northeast China's Jilin Province draws tourists to its 4,000 mu (about 266 hectares) of golden rice fields.
One of the town's most popular features is a small train that runs through the sprawling fields, offering tourists a scenic ride. Originally running hourly, the train now operates continuously due to the high demand.
Visitors to Ledao can also climb a tower to admire intricate rice paddy art from above or participate in traditional craft activities like weaving with rice stalks or painting gourds.
"The vast expanse of rice fields is truly awe-inspiring. There's so much to see and plenty of scenic spots for photos. It's a fantastic spot for tourism," said Zhao Yimeng, a tourist.
Ledao is expected to welcome over 6,000 visitors during the holiday, marking a 10 percent increase year on year. The growing cultural and tourism sector has boosted the local economy, creating around 4,000 jobs and generating an estimated 4.2 million yuan (about 598,000 U.S. dollars) in income.
Ningling County of central China's Henan Province welcomed tens of thousands of visitors each day to its 220,000 mu (around 14,667 hectares) of pear orchards. The golden pears hanging from the trees provided the perfect harvest backdrop for tourists exploring the orchards. Many also visited the Pear Museum. The local tourism revenue reached 5 million yuan (about 712,408 U.S. dollars) during the holiday.
In Ningbo City of east China's Zhejiang Province, the ripened crops of corn and sorghum painted the countryside in shades of red and yellow. Visitors not only admired the harvest but also indulged in fresh local produce and unique cultural products at nearby rest stops.
Artificial golden landscapes have also proved popular. In Qu County of southwest China's Sichuan Province, idle houses in rural areas have been transformed into golden-hued guesthouses, perfect for the growing demand for laid-back and scenic escapes. Wooden cabins, surrounded by leaves, set the stage for visitors to relax and savor leisurely meals with friends in the countryside.
During the holiday, over 20 rural tourism spots in Qu County attracted more than 10,000 daily visitors, marking a 40 percent increase compared to regular days. A range of rural tourism products, blending local culture with leisure and relaxation, offered visitors a vibrant and festive holiday experience.
The National Day holiday, which runs from Oct 1 to 7, marks a peak period for travel and tourism in China.
Golden landscapes, vibrant rural tourism light up China during National Day holiday
