The Palestinian death toll from the ongoing Israeli attacks in Gaza has risen to 43,736 and the total injuries reached 103,370, Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement released on Thursday.
Over the past 24 hours, Israeli military operations in Gaza have caused 24 deaths and 112 injuries, the statement said.
The Israeli forces launched an airstrike on a school-turned shelter in the Gaza Strip on Thursday, killing four people, including women and children, and injured many, the Palestinian official news agency WAFA reported.
A UN special committee likened Israel's actions in Gaza Strip to genocide in a report released on Thursday about situation in Gaza from October 2023 to July 2024.
The report said Israel's warfare in the Gaza Strip is "consistent with the characteristics of genocide," with mass civilian casualties and life-threatening conditions intentionally imposed on Palestinians there.
Israeli forces continue to intensify blockade of the Gaza Strip, launch targeted attack and kill civilians in Gaza, the report said.
Palestinian death toll from Israeli attacks in Gaza rises to 43,736
Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Peruvian counterpart Dina Boluarte on Thursday attended the opening ceremony of the Chancay Port via video link.
Xi flew in earlier Thursday to pay a state visit to Peru and to attend the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting scheduled for Friday and Saturday.
At the opening ceremony, the two heads of state heard reports given by the heads of transportation departments of both countries and watched a video presentation on the Chancay Port project. Representatives from both China and Peru at the project site reported to the two leaders, requesting authorization to commence port operations.
The two heads of state gave the order, announcing opening of the port.
Xi extended his congratulations on the successful opening of the Chancay Port and expressed respect for the builders from both countries who overcame difficulties posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, worked together, and completed all tasks with high quality.
Noting that it is exciting and inspiring to see a modern port has been built in just a few years, Xi said the Chancay Port is not only a deep-water port but also South America's first smart and green port which, once going into operation, will bring significant benefits to Peru, create a large number of jobs, and strongly reinforce Peru's position as a gateway connecting land and sea, linking Asia and Latin America.
Over 2,000 years ago, ancestors of the Chinese nation set sail, braving rough seas to open up the Maritime Silk Road connecting East and West. More than 500 years ago, ancestors of the Peruvians, the Incas, fearlessly crossed towering mountains and built the Inca Trail, which spanned the Andes from north to south. Today, the Chancay Port is becoming a new starting point for the "Inca Trail of the New Era", according to Xi.
From Chancay to Shanghai, what people are witnessing is not only the fruitful implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative in Peru but also the construction of a new land-sea corridor linking Asia and Latin America in the new era, Xi said.
Xi called for concerted efforts from both sides to build, manage and operate the Chancay Port well, continuously improving its capacity, efficiency and the level of comprehensive service.
Xi urged efforts to actively explore the port's role in bolstering logistics, thus promoting trade with logistics, and industries with trade, so as to empower the Pacific Rim economies including China and Peru in their pursuit of common prosperity based on the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits.
The port is also expected to provide a path to prosperity and happiness for Peru and the broader Latin American and Caribbean region, deliver mutual benefits and win-win results across a wider space and bring more tangible gains and satisfaction to the people of all countries involved, Xi added.
Boluarte said that the opening of the Chancay Port is a historic moment that fills all the people of Peru with pride. This grand project, jointly built by China and Peru under the Belt and Road Initiative, marks a critical step for Peru towards its goal of becoming an international hub for shipping and trade, she said, adding that it will help Peru become a vital gateway connecting Latin America and Asia, and that it will strongly promote Latin American integration and prosperity.
The port's entry into operation will open a new chapter in Peru's economic development, further enhancing the country's competitiveness and bringing greater benefits to all Peruvians, she noted, expressing gratitude to China for its trust and support.
The Chancay Port is located 80 kilometers north of Peru's capital, Lima, and is a key project under the Belt and Road Initiative between China and Peru. After the port's opening, the shipping time between China and Peru will be reduced to 23 days for an one-way trip, cutting logistics costs by more than 20 percent. The port will also create over 8,000 direct job opportunities annually for Peru.
Xi attended the welcome banquet hosted by Boluarte on Thursday.
Xi, Peruvian president attend opening ceremony of Chancay Port via video
