The United Nations Security Council adopted a presidential statement on the situation in Syria on Friday, condemning the widespread violence perpetrated in Syria's Latakia and Tartus provinces since March 6 which includes mass killings of civilians, and calling on the interim authorities to protect all Syrians without distinction.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, based in Britain, reported that nearly 1,500 people, including more than 1,000 civilians, have been killed in the violent escalation in the coastal region since last week.
Unanimously adopting the presidential statement, the Security Council called on all parties to immediately cease all violence and inflammatory activities and ensure the protection of all civilian populations and infrastructure, as well as humanitarian operations. Further, the Council urged all parties and states to ensure full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access to those affected and the humane treatment of all persons. It also called for a rapid increase of humanitarian support across Syria.
The 15-nation organ called on all states to respect Syria's sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity and refrain from any action or interference that may further destabilize the country. It further urged Syria to take decisive measures to address the threat posed by foreign terrorist fighters, underscoring its obligations under relevant Council resolutions related to counter-terrorism.
Underlining the urgency of inclusive, transparent justice and reconciliation in Syria, the Council called for swift, transparent, independent, impartial and comprehensive investigations to ensure accountability and bring all the perpetrators of violence against civilians to justice.
Furthermore, the Council called for an inclusive political process led and owned by Syrians, facilitated by the UN and based on the principles outlined in the relevant UN resolution. This includes safeguarding the rights of all Syrians — regardless of ethnicity or religion — meeting their legitimate aspirations and enabling them to peacefully, independently and democratically determine their futures, the statement says.
UN Security Council condemns recent violence in Syria, calling on protection of all Syrians without distinction
UN Security Council condemns recent violence in Syria, calling on protection of all Syrians without distinction
UN Security Council condemns recent violence in Syria, calling on protection of all Syrians without distinction
UN Security Council condemns recent violence in Syria, calling on protection of all Syrians without distinction
China Media Group (CMG) held a dialogue on Friday in Bogota, the capital of Colombia, bringing together political, business, academic, and media representatives to explore the opportunities that China's high-quality development presents for the world, particularly for developing countries.
The event was part of CMG's "China in Spring Time: Sharing Opportunities with the World" Global Dialogue series and gathered about 150 representatives from both China and Colombia for in-depth exchanges.
Speaking via video link, CMG President Shen Haixiong noted that China's annual "two sessions" showcased the country's vitality in a new era. The two sessions refer to the annual meetings of China's national legislature, the National People's Congress (NPC), and the top political advisory body, the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).
At this year's "two sessions," Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the need to steadily expand institutional opening-up and continuously broaden space for international cooperation, Shen said. He added that China will continue to open even wider to the world.
Chinese Ambassador to Colombia, Zhu Jingyang, said the recently concluded "two sessions" attracted global attention. He emphasized that China will remain committed to high-quality development and high-level opening-up, providing fresh momentum for the recovery and growth of the global economy.
This year marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Colombia, as well as the 10th anniversary of the official operation of the China-CELAC Forum, said Zhu.
He added that China and Colombia should seize this opportunity and uphold the principles of equality, mutual benefit, and win-win cooperation to build a better future for their relations and usher in a new chapter in the China-Latin America community with a shared future.
"More than expectations, we have come to reaffirm the national government's willingness to strengthen this strategic relationship between the two nations. Clearly, it is focused on trade, and on readjusting trade conditions, so to speak, in accordance with the existing agreement," said Cielo Rusinque, current Superintendent of Colombia's Superintendency of Industry and Commerce.
Guillermo Puyana, President of the Colombia-China Friendship Association, said the world seeks to understand China's modernization path through the information released during the "two sessions."
He added that Colombia has admired China's development philosophy and achievements since the two countries established diplomatic relations 45 years ago, and that China's commitment to peaceful development holds great significance for Colombia and other Latin American nations.
"The important investments from China in technology and infrastructure, as well as the strategic relationship and economic benefits that the Chinese development model brings to countries like Colombia, [hold very important significance]," said Puyana.
Colombian youth representative Julio Andres Saavedra said that with China's assistance, the construction of Bogota Metro Line 1 is in full swing, helping Colombia realize its dream of building a metro system on the plateau.
Guests attending the dialogue also viewed the international promotional video for China's blockbuster animated film "Ne Zha 2".
Many local mainstream media outlets in Colombia, such as the Colombian National Television and El Tiempo, reported on the dialogue.
CMG hosts dialogue in Colombia on opportunities from China's high-quality development
