The death toll from Israeli attacks on Lebanon since the beginning of the latest round of Israeli-Hezbollah conflict on Oct 8, 2023 reached 3,481, with injuries rising to 14,768, said the Lebanese Health Ministry on Sunday.
According to Lebanese media reports, the Israeli army launched multiple attacks on many places, including central area of Beirut, the country's capital, the southern suburbs of Beirut, and Hasbaya area in southern Lebanon on Sunday, causing many casualties.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) issued a statement on the same day, saying that it had carried out air strikes on several Hezbollah military targets in Lebanon, and Israeli artillery had entered Lebanon for the first time to launch ground military operations.
Hezbollah also said on Sunday that it had launched more than 1,300 military operations against Israeli targets in the past two months and repelled multiple Israeli ground operations.
Meanwhile, an Israeli airstrike targeting the office of Syria's Ba'ath Party in central Beirut on Sunday noon had killed Hezbollah Media Chief Mohammad Afif and three other people, local TV channel al-Jadeed reported.
According to al-Jadeed, Israeli warplanes attacked the office with two air-to-surface missiles after the Ba'ath Party received a call from the Israeli army asking it to evacuate the building. Lebanese military sources said that Israel attacked the Hasbaya area in southern Lebanon on Sunday, killing at least five people and injuring three others.
Since Sept 23, the Israeli army has been launching an unprecedented, intensive air attack on Lebanon in a dangerous escalation with Hezbollah. In early October, the Israeli army began what it said was a "limited" ground campaign, targeting Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon.
Death toll from Israeli strikes on Lebanon rises to 3,481
Officials and analysts have hailed Chinese President Xi Jinping's speech at the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting for its message highlighting the importance of globalization, sustainability, inclusiveness and reciprocity.
Xi called on the Asia-Pacific region to shoulder the responsibilities of the times and jointly promote development while addressing the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in the Peruvian capital Lima on Saturday.
In his speech, Xi pointed out that over the decades, APEC has been instrumental in leading the Asia-Pacific to great success in development, prosperity and connectivity, making the region the most dynamic economy and primary engine of global economic growth.
Xi also stressed that countries in the Asia-Pacific should carry greater responsibilities on their shoulders, and act in solidarity and cooperation to meet current global challenges and start a new era in Asia-Pacific development.
The message conveyed by Xi struck a chord with many Peruvians, who noted the importance of adhering to a multilateral mindset.
"In his speech, President Xi Jinping delivered a very interesting message -- only by benefiting the world can we benefit our own country. He conveyed a vision of a shared future for humanity. Today, we must work to create well-being for everyone," said Alejandro Indacochea, a Peruvian economist.
"President Xi has put forward some ideas that are new to the APEC this time. The first one, I think, is the idea of expanding the pie, that is, more actively linking the APEC area, which is the Pacific area, with the rest of globalization. This is precisely what strengthens globalization in terms of equalizing economies so that everyone benefits," said former Peruvian Foreign Minister Hector Bejar.
"So, I think it's like you are setting examples of where your bar is within sustainability practices and how to make these truly not just economically fulfilling for both sides, but also to make it sustainable. Because that's what really will lead to future generations," said Natalia, a media professional in Peru.
"China is a very important actor and member of APEC. And I think China contributes a lot to APEC. I think that China is also a very important soci-economic partner for many of the Latin American economies. So, we really look forward to continue developing new areas of cooperation on the basis of mutual benefits with China," said Renato Reyes, Peru's senior official to APEC.
Xi put also forward three proposals in his speech, including building an open and interconnected paradigm for Asia-Pacific cooperation; making green innovation a catalyst for the Asia-Pacific; and upholding a universally beneficial and inclusive vision for Asia-Pacific development.
William Jones, the Washington bureau chief of the U.S. publication Executive Intelligence Review, highlighted Xi's emphasis on ensuring mutual benefits for all, and said these proposals can deliver positive outcomes not just for Latin America but for the whole world.
"I think they're all very good, and the third point that he made, of course, was the issue that it had to be mutually beneficial. And this of course has been always an element in China's foreign policies specifically connected to the Belt and Road Initiative, which is also gaining adherence in Latin America. And I think the presence of China in Latin America at this point has created a certain sense of optimism by 2026 that the route, the pathway that China has charted out is a successful pathway not only for China but also for the world," he said.
Xi's APEC speech hailed for safeguarding globalization, inclusiveness
