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 been ratcheting up the number of settlements and annexation of the occupied West Bank and transferring its own population into the territory which constitutes a breach of international law, according to the United Nations Human Rights Office.
Thameen Al-Kheetan, spokesman for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, presented a report by the UN Human Rights Office on Tuesday that outlined the ongoing transfer of powers over the Occupied Palestinian Territory from the Israeli military to the government.
According to the report, based on research between Nov 1, 2023 and Oct 31, 2024, there had been a "significant" expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
"The Government of Israel has been increasing the number of settlements in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, transferring its own population into the territory and unlawfully demolishing Palestinian homes. At the same time settler violence has increased with continued impunity," said Al-Kheetan.
The report also refers to plans to construct over 20,000 housing units in new or existing Israeli settlements in East Jerusalem alone, according to Israeli non-governmental organizations.
In East Jerusalem, 214 Palestinian properties and structures have been demolished. Over 10,300 units within existing Israeli settlements in the rest of the West Bank are in the pipeline, and an unprecedented 49 new Israeli outposts have been established, according to the report.
"The Israeli government is facilitating the advancement of settlements in the West Bank, and the steady integration of this occupied territory into the State of Israel, the report finds. Israel's settlement policy, its acts of annexation, and related discriminatory legislation and measures are in breach of international law, and violate Palestinians' right to self-determination," said Al-Kheetan.
The spokesman added that the transfer by Israel of parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies amounts to a war crime.
Israel expands illegal settlements, annexation of West Bank: UN report
