Putin apologizes to Azerbaijani president over "tragic incident" in Russian airspace

China

Putin apologizes to Azerbaijani president over "tragic incident" in Russian airspace

2024-12-29 09:28 Last Updated At：16:57

Russian President Vladimir Putin apologized for the "tragic incident" in Russian airspace during a phone talk with his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev on Saturday, referring to Wednesday's Azerbaijani plane crash, according to a statement issued by the Kremlin.

Putin said the Azerbaijani flight repeatedly tried to land at the airport in Grozny in Russia, adding that at that time, Grozny was experiencing a Ukrainian drone attack and Russian air defense systems repelled these attacks.

During the phone call, Putin expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.

Aliyev said that the plane had to be diverted to Aktau, Kazakhstan, where it made an emergency landing.

Citing testimonies from survivors, including flight attendants, as evidence of external interference, Aliyev said that the aircraft's fuselage had been punctured by foreign objects during the flight, injuring passengers and crew members.

The two leaders agreed on the need for a thorough investigation. Aliyev confirmed that an international team of experts had already begun examining the incident.

The Russian Investigative Committee had opened a criminal case under violation of traffic safety rules and operation of air transport, Putin told Aliyev, adding that primary investigations are ongoing.

Also on Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke to Aliyev, expressing condolences to him and the people of Azerbaijan regarding the tragic plane crash.

Calling a thorough investigation is a key priority now, Zelensky said photos and videos clearly show the damage to the aircraft's fuselage, which strongly point to a strike by an air defense missile.

He said Ukraine will support Azerbaijan with all necessary means and call on other countries to assist as well.

Regarding the investigation into the plane crash, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev pointed out on Saturday that efforts must be made to prevent information provocation and fake news.

Meanwhile on Saturday, Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, Kanat Bozumbayev, said the country has enlisted 17 international experts to get involved in the investigation, and the experts are concluding that the plane was damaged outside Kazakhstan's airspace.

An Embraer 190 aircraft operated by Azerbaijan Airlines, flight J2-8243 from Baku to Grozny, crashed near the Kazakh city of Aktau on Wednesday, with 62 passengers and five crew members on board. Thirty-eight people were killed in the crash, and 29 were rescued, according to Kazakhstan's Ministry of Emergency Situations.

New Year celebrations help boost market for festive goods

2024-12-30 22:31 Last Updated At：23:07

Various celebrations are being staged across China in anticipation of the fast-approaching New Year's Day and the upcoming Chinese New Year holiday, or Spring Festival, boosting the market for related goods as more revelers get into the festive spirit.

In Beijing, more than 1,000 lanterns themed around fashion and technology are offering a colorful display in the city's Wenyuhe Park, making it one of the largest lantern festivals in the city this year.

In Shanghai, business districts have launched a series of themed decorations, exhibitions, performances, and interactive activities. Local authorities have also distributed consumption coupons, further stimulating consumer spending during the New Year's Day holiday, which falls on Wednesday.

In the nearby city of Hangzhou in the eastern Zhejiang Province, several promotional activities have been introduced to boost consumption. Additionally, business areas and shopping streets have been upgraded to meet the consumer demand for high-quality goods.

Special Spring Festival fairs have also been set up across the country as Chinese people gear up for their largest annual celebration around the Chinese New Year, which lands at the end of January in 2025.

In Huaiyuan County of east China's Anhui Province, a local fair is attracting visitors with a variety of well-known agricultural products. In Zhangzhou City of the coastal Fujian Province, a one-stop feature fair allows both visitors and locals to purchase a wide range of items.

Meanwhile, in northeast China's Jilin Province, local authorities in the city of Ji'an have sought to take advantage of the snowy conditions by integrating winter sports, offering visitors the chance to enjoy a range of snow and ice activities while shopping for Spring Festival goods.

Additionally, flowers are in high demand at many marketplaces across China as more people look to prepare some floral decorations as part of the celebrations.

In Kunming of southwest China's Yunnan Province, a special flower street featuring Chinese New Year flowers has been set up, where over 15,000 flowers are available, including more than 120 varieties of orchids.

Local flower markets area also in full bloom in various other places, from the northern cities of Shijiazhuang and Taiyuan to Hetian in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, all offering a wide variety of creative and unique flowers, which have been well received by residents.