Chinese vice president proposes global industrial, supply chain cooperation

Chinese Vice President Han Zheng on Tuesday called for promoting win-win cooperation, optimization and upgrading, as well as green transition of global industrial and supply chains.

Han made the three-point proposal while addressing the opening ceremony of the second China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE), which will run from Tuesday to Saturday in Beijing.

China will adhere to the right course of economic globalization, and enhance business and industrial capacity cooperation with other countries for a positive interplay among industries and shared benefits, Han said.

He noted that the country will deepen its innovation-driven development strategy, accelerate the development of new quality productive forces, and create a broader space for cooperation concerning deep integration of industrial and supply chains.

He said China is willing to work with all other countries to expand cooperation in areas such as the green industry and clean energy -- to boost global green development.

Noting that China has long been participating in and benefiting from global industrial and supply chain cooperation, while firmly upholding and contributing to such cooperation, Han said the country has made positive contributions to the development of the world economy.

China stands ready to work with other countries to build an open world economic system, and ensure stable and unimpeded global industrial and supply chains, he added.

Themed "Connecting the World for a Shared Future," the expo's opening ceremony was attended by about 1,100 participants, including Chinese and foreign government officials, enterprise and business association representatives, and diplomatic envoys to China.

After the opening ceremony, Han toured the expo's exhibition hall, exploring areas dedicated to digital technology, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing. He also exchanged views with leaders from various enterprises.

As the world's first national-level exhibition focusing on supply chains, the CISCE gathers industry leaders and experts from around the world and helps promote global cooperation in industrial and supply chains.

Chinese vice president proposes global industrial, supply chain cooperation

The recent Israeli airstrikes on multiple sites in Yemen, including Hodeidah Port in the north, could have devastating consequences, potentially further worsening the humanitarian situation in the country, an United Nations official said on Friday.

On Dec 19, Israel launched a series of airstrikes against Houthi targets in northern Yemen, resulting in the destruction of two major power stations in the capital, Sanaa, and several ports along the coast of the Red Sea.

A total of three ports in Hodeidah Province were affected by the airstrikes: the ports of Hodeidah, Saleef, and Ras Isa.

On Thursday, Israel launched another round of airstrikes targeting key infrastructure and Houthi-controlled sites in Sanaa and Hodeidah, according to media reports.

Julien Harneis, UN resident coordinator in Yemen, stated that 80 percent of food and nearly 90 to 95 percent of medical supplies needed in northern Yemen rely on Hodeidah Port for passage, making the port extremely important.

He emphasized that if the port were to break down, it would have catastrophic consequences, leading to a rapid deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Yemen.

"So, the airstrikes some days ago which destroyed the two tugs was estimated to reduce the harbor capacity by 50 percent. Now, we don't know how long that reduction in capacity will be and we have yet to done a thorough analysis of what the impact of yesterday's airstrikes. So, we're still collecting information and trying to understand that," Harneis said.

The UN predicts that by 2025, the population in need of humanitarian assistance in Yemen will rise to 19 million people. If the internal conflict in Yemen persists, this situation may worsen even further, Harneis noted.

Israeli airstrikes on Yemen may trigger devastating consequences: UN official