China remains steadfast in practicing open, fair int'l sci-tech cooperation: vice premier

China remains steadfast in advocating and practicing open, fair international scientific, technological cooperation, said Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang on Wednesday.

Ding, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with foreign scientist representatives attending the 2024 World Science and Technology Development Forum in Beijing.

Ding said that deepening international exchange and cooperation, and promoting sustainable development through scientific and technological innovation, is an urgent need for addressing significant global issues. This aligns with the expectations of people from all countries and the global scientific community, he said.

He stressed that the more complex the international environment becomes, the more China will open up. China will remain steadfast in advocating and practicing the principles of open, fair, just, and non-discriminatory international scientific and technological cooperation, he noted.

China will actively promote joint efforts to tackle major scientific challenges, foster an open innovation ecosystem, and encourage the sharing of scientific achievements to better benefit humanity, Ding added.

A total of 12 scientists from the United States, European countries and other countries spoke at the meeting, expressing their strong support for open cooperation.

They expressed their willingness to deepen exchanges with China and collaborate to produce more innovative results so as to jointly promote global sustainable development.

Themed "Science and Technology for the Future", the 2024 World Science and Technology Development Forum centers on topics such as artificial intelligence governance innovation and cross-disciplinary integration and development. The forum runs from Tuesday to Thursday.

China remains steadfast in practicing open, fair int'l sci-tech cooperation: vice premier

China remains steadfast in practicing open, fair int'l sci-tech cooperation: vice premier

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday that Israel will implement a ceasefire deal to bring a halt to its conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon, but will respond forcefully to any violation.

Netanyahu made the remarks in a televised speech after Israel’s security cabinet approved the ceasefire agreement.

The duration of the ceasefire depends on what happens in Lebanon, Netanyahu said in the address, translated from Hebrew. "We will enforce the agreement and respond forcefully to any violation."

A ceasefire agreement with Lebanon will enable Israel to focus on the threat from Iran, rebuild its forces and improve its weapons, he said, adding that Israel will make every effort to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

Earlier in the day, Israel's security cabinet held a meeting to discuss the ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah in Lebanon even as Israel launched a series of airstrikes targeting central Beirut and the city's southern suburbs on the same day, killing seven and injuring 37.

The security cabinet approved the ceasefire by a majority of ten votes to one, with far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir casting the sole dissenting vote, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office said in a statement. Israel's Channel 12 TV News reported Tuesday night that the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire deal will take effect Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. local time (0800 GMT).

Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati said on his social media account that the Lebanese caretaker government will hold a ministerial meeting on Wednesday morning to discuss the current situation and the latest trends in the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel.

Netanyahu says Israel will enforce ceasefire deal, respond forcefully to any violation