All relevant parties should work to avoid further heightening the overall security risks in the Middle East, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said at a press briefing in Beijing on Monday.
Mao reiterated the urgency of ending the turmoil in the Middle East in response to a media query about China's position on potential strikes against Iraq's territory which Israel has reportedly threatened to conduct "in the near future." "As we speak, tensions are running high in the Middle East, and all relevant parties should work to avoid further heightening the overall security risks in the region. The spate of incidents lately has again made it clear that a ceasefire is urgently needed. The international community, particularly major powers with influence, should make sure to play a constructive role and create necessary conditions for easing tensions in the region. China will continue leveraging its own influence and making efforts to promote peace and stability in the region," she said.
China urges not to heighten overall security risks: spokeswoman
The upcoming visit by mainland universities to Taiwan will promote exchanges between young people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, said Hsiao Hsu-tsen, executive director of the Taiwan-based Ma Ying-jeou Culture and Education Foundation, the organizer of the event.
The foundation announced on Nov 4 that it plans to invite 40 faculty members and students from seven mainland universities to visit the island, following a successful visit by mainland college students in 2023.
"I believe the upcoming exchange holds great promise. After all, the future of both sides of the Taiwan Strait lies in the young people, especially high school and college students, who serve as the seedlings and the foundation. We hope that the young people on both sides will have more interactions. It is our responsibility to lay a solid foundation for our next generation, whether in Taiwan or on the mainland, so that they can have a brighter future. Our actions and words show that we don't want war, we want peace; we don't want 'Taiwan independence', we want the two sides to continue to communicate. This is the real voice of Taiwan," said Hsiao.
The visit is scheduled to start on Nov 27 and will last nine days and eight nights.
The mainland students and teachers are from Peking University, Tsinghua University, Fudan University, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhejiang University, Fujian Normal University and Beijing Sport University. The students will include Olympic champions, table tennis gold medalist Ma Long from Beijing Sport University, and shooting gold medalist Yang Qian from Tsinghua University.
They will visit six universities in Taiwan, including Taiwan University, Tsing Hua University in Hsinchu, Chengchi University, Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Chinese Culture University in Taiwan, and Chang Gung University, as well as the Taipei Municipal Zhongshan Girls High School.
The itinerary will also include visits to scenic spots such as Sun Moon Lake so that mainland students will have an in-depth understanding of Taiwan's history and natural beauty. Additionally, the foundation will arrange baseball experience activities, allowing mainland students to engage firsthand with Taiwan's popular baseball culture.
This is the second such visit planned by the foundation. In 2023, faculty members and students from five mainland universities were warmly received across Taiwan, positively impacting cross-Strait relations.
In 2023 and 2024, Ma Ying-jeou, former chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang, also led youth groups from Taiwan on visits to the mainland.
Mainland universities' visit to promote exchanges between youth on both sides of Taiwan Strait: organizer
