Former Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab hailed China's remarkable achievements,highlighting their role in driving significant global contributions.
Diab made the remarks during an exclusive Friday interview with China Central Television (CCTV), describing China's progress in many fields as "nothing less than remarkable".
"China has so much to offer, as it has offered the Chinese people, it has so much to offer the world as a whole. There is no doubt the advancement of China at so many levels, you know, not just at the economic level, the scientific level, at the higher education level, which is a major interest of mine, truly at all levels, has been nothing less than remarkable. And China today is not just an economic power, but a global power that is respected everywhere you go," said Diab in Guangzhou, capital city of south China's Guangdong Province.
China's opening extends beyond trade relations, but also encompass cultural exchanges with other countries, Diab said, emphasizing the "passion and hunger" he witnessed for such exchanges during his visits to China.
"As I repeatedly say, I think when China opens up to other countries, it's not just at the trade and economic level, like some people perceive, but it's also at the cultural level, at levels which allow people to communicate and understand each other more. I definitely gain more as I understand more about the Chinese culture, gain more and more in each visit I come to China. It's just a pleasure to be here in China and meet different people from different cities and different areas. You feel the compassion and the hunger for opening up to other cultures and other areas in the world," said Diab.
Former Lebanese PM hails China's achievements beyond economic impact
Former Lebanese PM hails China's achievements beyond economic impact
Former Lebanese PM hails China's achievements beyond economic impact
Israel has vowed to continue with its airstrikes on Gaza, after a fresh wave of bombardment led to the collapse of a two-month ceasefire early Tuesday, with its officials saying that the attacks will not stop until it secures the release of all remaining hostages from Hamas captivity.
On Tuesday, the Israeli army conducted intense airstrikes on northern and central Gaza Strip, marking the most violent escalation since a ceasefire agreement took effect on Jan. 19.
According to Israeli media reports, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a statement following Tuesday's airstrikes that if Hamas does not release all hostages, "the gates of hell will open in Gaza," and Hamas will encounter the Israeli military "with an intensity they have never known before."
Meanwhile, Danny Danon, Israel's permanent representative to the United Nations (UN), also said in a post on his social media account that Israel will show "no mercy" until all hostages are returned.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office announced early Tuesday that Netanyahu and Katz had ordered the military to "operate against Hamas with increasingly powerful military force."
According to the statement, the move followed what it described as Hamas's "repeated refusal to release hostages" and rejection of proposals presented by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and other mediators.
In a press statement issued on Tuesday, Hamas accused Netanyahu and Israeli government of "resuming aggression and a war of genocide" against civilians in the Gaza Strip, holding Israel fully responsible for the repercussions of the renewed escalation.
Hamas accused Netanyahu's government of deliberately overturning the ceasefire agreement, thereby exposing prisoners in Gaza to an uncertain fate.
Hamas further appealed to the United Nations and the UN Security Council to "convene urgently to adopt a resolution obligating Israel to immediately halt its aggression and implement Resolution 2735, which calls for an end to hostilities and a full withdrawal from the Gaza Strip."
Israel says Gaza strikes won't stop until release of all hostages; Hamas decries "war of genocide"
