Syria's future should be determined by Syrian people: Chinese envoy

The UN Security Council held an open meeting on the Syrian issue on Wednesday during which, Fu Cong, China's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, called on the international community to allow the Syrian people to decide their country's future based on their will.

Noting that the current situation in Syria is at a critical stage and faces significant challenges, Fu emphasized that the international community should strengthen solidarity and coordinated action to support and assist Syria in achieving stability and development.

China supports advancing a "Syrian-led and Syrian-owned" political process. The international community must genuinely respect Syria's right to pursue a development path suited to its national conditions, allowing the Syrian people to determine their country's future based on their will.

"China has long pursued a policy of friendship and cooperation with Syria, not interfering in Syria's internal affairs. We are willing to work with the international community to continue efforts to help Syria achieve a smooth transition and gradually embark on the path of peaceful development," said Fu.

Noting that the Golan Heights is internationally recognized as occupied Syrian territory, Fu said that China reaffirms that Syria's sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity must be respected, and the Security Council's resolutions on the Golan Heights must be implemented.

Fu also emphasized that, regardless of how the domestic situation in Syria evolves, the bottom line of zero tolerance for terrorism cannot be changed.

Syria's future should be determined by Syrian people: Chinese envoy

Syria's future should be determined by Syrian people: Chinese envoy

Syria's future should be determined by Syrian people: Chinese envoy

Syria's future should be determined by Syrian people: Chinese envoy

A China Media Group (CMG) reporter recorded the "war zone-like" wildfires raging in the north of Los Angeles in California, the United States, on Wednesday night.

Multiple major wildfires raging across Los Angeles County, the most populous U.S. county, has killed at least five people and damaged at least 1,100 buildings, authorities said Wednesday.

California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on Tuesday after tens of thousands of people were ordered to evacuate due to a fast-moving wildfire in California.

According to the CMG reporter Liu Xiaoqian, fire has been burning all day at multiple locations in the area on Wednesday, and local residents have received evacuation messages.

"This road is now completely closed, with access restricted to fire engines. A strong smell of burning fills the air, creating a scene reminiscent of a war zone. You can hear the crackling sound of fires raging," said Liu on site.

The video footage from Liu shows widespread destructions caused by the fire, with numerous buildings, vehicles, and road signs reduced to ruins. Dense smoke and fire flames can be seen along the roads.

According to Liu, the vast area affected by the fire means that the local fire department has resources only to deal with large-scale blazes.

"The wildfire currently sweeping across multiple areas of Los Angeles is the most severe one the city has ever experienced. Scenes like this large-scale fire are just the beginning, as the fire is spreading in all directions across the city. At present, firefighters can only focus on containing large-scale fires like this one to prevent further spread," he said.

U.S. President Joe Biden decided to cancel his scheduled trip to Italy to "remain focused on directing the full federal response" to California wildfires, a White House spokesperson said in a statement on Wednesday night.

CMG reporter experience "war zone-like" wildfires in LA