Residents in suburban Beirut have begun restoring their homes and businesses after a ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel took effect last week.
Ali Hamadeh owns two fast-food restaurants in Dahieh, a suburb south of the Lebanese capital. His establishments narrowly escaped complete destruction after a bombing razed a neighboring building to the ground.
On the morning of November 12, shortly after the Israeli army issued an emergency evacuation order for the residents of a nearby building, two missiles struck the building, causing it to collapse instantly.
The blast was so powerful that it affected neighboring streets as well.
Several restaurants and shops on the ground floor of the building were buried under the rubble. Hamadeh's shops are still standing, but have suffered serious damage.
"(The neighboring building) was totally (destroyed). As you see, all the buildings have been hit," Hamadeh said.
The front door of his restaurant is now blocked by rubble, and the dining area on the second floor is in disarray, with power and water supplies temporarily interrupted. Hamadeh said that despite these challenges, he remains determined to renovate the space and reopen the restaurant.
"We will stay in this land, we will live and will show all the world that we are pure people that love life, actually. I'm not going to live anywhere (else). We are staying here," said the business owner.
Just days ago, the streets of Dahieh were empty and shrouded in fear. Now, with the cease-fire agreement in effect, they are gradually coming back to life.
"With the aid of other countries, resilient Lebanese residents have the courage to face such a huge disaster. Of course, we have begun to rebuild our homeland. Although we still sleep in the ruins and even eat dust, the important thing is that we have not given up our dignity," said Jihad Ayoub, a resident of Dahieh.
Lebanese residents begin lengthy task of rebuilding livelihoods
Lebanese residents begin lengthy task of rebuilding livelihoods
Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Wednesday highlighted the importance of stronger business ties with China at the Nepal-China Business Forum in Beijing, calling for joint efforts of the business community from both sides to achieve mutual benefit.
Oli is in China for a four-day official visit, during which he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang on Tuesday.
On Wednesday afternoon, he delivered a keynote speech at the forum, in which he spoke highly of the close relationship between the two nations.
"We are not only linked by mountains and rivers, but we are also connected by culture and situation on economic relations, respect for sovereign equality, territory integrity, political independence as well as mutual trust," said the prime minister.
Oli also encouraged businesses from both countries to deepen cooperation.
"I encourage the business community from both countries to work together for mutual benefit. Your increased collaboration and partnership will contribute to further enhancing our economic cooperation. I believe the private sector is the real engine of economic growth and prosperity," he said.
India, as Nepal's largest trading partner, accounts for two-thirds of Nepal's international trade, whereas China, as the second largest, now accounts for about 14 percent. Nine agreements have been signed between China and Nepal, with some of them focusing on enhancing business ties.
According to some participants in the forum, there is still much room for the two countries to expand cooperation in trade and investment.
"Our export is very much low, if we compare with the lot of import from China. So we need to export more items to China. Border connectivity also needs to be improved [more] than what we already have," said Chandra Prasad Dhakal, president of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
"From January to September this year, the trade volume between China and Nepal reached 1.58 billion U.S. dollars, marking an 8.7-percent year-on-year increase, showcasing the great potential of bilateral economic and trade cooperation," said Zhang Shaogang, vice chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade.
Nepali prime minister stresses importance of stronger business ties with China
