Foreign-Affairs
Chinese President Xi highlights innovations for future growth
Chinese President Xi Jinping has asked his party members and officials to focus on innovations in a rapidly transforming global scenario."Facing the latest round of scientific and technological revolutions and industrial transformations, we must seize opportunities and step up efforts for innovations," said Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission.XI made the statement as he took part in the deliberation of the government work report with his fellow deputies from the delegation of Jiangsu Province to the second session of the 14th National People’s Congress on March 5 in Beijing. He emphasised on the need to firmly focus on the primary task of high-quality development and develop new quality productive forces according to local conditions.He also asked to strengthen emerging industries, arrange the development of industries for the future in advance, and modernise industrial system.He said to develop new quality productive forces doesn’t mean ignoring or abandoning traditional industries. The endeavours in this regard should never be in a mad scramble, and bubbles should be prevented. "We should also avoid the domination of a single model," he said.The President of China, the world’s second largest economy, also said localities should adhere to the principle of proceeding from reality, building the new before discarding the old, taking measures in line with local conditions, and giving differentiated guidance. "They must selectively cultivate new industries, business models and growth drivers in the light of their resource endowment, industrial foundation and scientific research conditions, among other factors," he said.He also emphasised on transforming and upgrading traditional industries with new technologies and taking rigorous actions to make industries higher-end, smarter, and more environmentally friendly.The deliberation was carried out in a warm and lively atmosphere within the delegation. Cui Tiejun, Gao Jifan, Song Yan, Wu Huifang, Wu Xinming and Sun Jingnan, six deputies of the delegation, presented on how to achieve great self-reliance and strength in science and technology, promote the high-quality development of the country’s photovoltaic industry, strengthen the protection and inheritance of cultural heritage, build happy villages featuring common prosperity, support the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta, and promote craftsmanship.Xi joined their talks from time to time, exchanging opinions with his fellow deputies.After listening to the deputies’ presentations, Xi delivered a speech. He expressed his approval of the government work report, fully acknowledging the new progress and achievements made in Jiangsu’s economic and social development. He expressed the hope that Jiangsu will have greater confidence, exert its utmost, and shoulder greater responsibilities to make even more contributions to the nation.Xi stressed that Jiangsu possesses favorable conditions and capabilities for developing new quality productive forces.He highlighted the importance of building a modern industrial system with advanced manufacturing as the mainstay."It is essential for technological innovation to play a leading role in coordinating the upgrading of traditional industries, the expansion of emerging industries, and the nurturing of industries for the future and imperative to intensify the integration between technological innovation and industrial innovation, and reinforce the leading edge of traditional industries," he mentioned.It is important to accelerate the building of internationally competitive clusters of strategic emerging industries, and make Jiangsu a major locality for the development of new quality productive forces, he added.Xi pointed out the necessity of planning major measures to further deepen reform on all fronts, so as to continuously inject strong impetus into the endeavor to promote high-quality development and advance Chinese modernization. To build a high-level socialist market economy, it is imperative to accelerate the improvement of basic systems underpinning the market economy such as those for property rights protection, market access, fair competition, and social credit.It is essential to improve and implement the institutions and mechanisms to unswervingly consolidate and develop the public sector and unswervingly encourage, support and guide the development of the non-public sector, facilitate the growth of the private sector and private enterprises, and stimulate the endogenous power and innovation vitality of various business entities. Reform of systems involving science and technology, education and professional personnel should be deepened, and barriers obstructing the development of new quality productive forces should be removed. Efforts should be continued to create a world-class business environment that is market-oriented, law-based and internationalized to foster new strengths for a higher-level open economy.Xi stressed that since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, a series of coordinated regional development strategies, major regional strategies and functional zoning strategies have been implemented, playing an important supporting role in fostering a new development paradigm and promoting high-quality development. It is imperative for Jiangsu to fully integrate into and contribute to the development of the Yangtze Economic Belt and the strategy for integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta, and strengthen its alignment with the development strategies of other regions and major regional strategies to build interconnected innovation, industrial, and supply chains in a broader range of areas, so that Jiangsu can better leverage its strength as a major economically developed province to drive the development of the whole region and the whole country.Xi pointed out that efforts must be made to sustain and reinforce the positive momentum of economic recovery, and boost confidence in development across society. Party officials should be among the first to have greater confidence and take concrete, effective actions. "To consolidate and expand what has been achieved in theoretical study programmes, efforts must be made to establish a long-term mechanism, resolutely rectify pointless formalities and bureaucratism, effectively reduce the burden on the grassroots, spark the creativity of the entire Party and society, and boost Party officials’ enterprising spirit in their work," he also said.He also highlighted that the people-centered development philosophy should be upheld, and the people’s well-being should be steadily improved in the course of pursuing development, so as to guide and encourage the broad masses to create a happy life with their own hands.Lastly, Xi stressed that it is important to ensure workplace safety by further improving the work to detect safety hazards, strengthening early warning and monitoring, and implementing emergency measures to ensure the safety of people’s lives and property.Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, participated in the deliberation.Mu Hong and Jiang Xinzhi, among others, were present.
Send money through legal channels, Bangladeshi FM urges expats
Foreign Minister and Awami League Joint General Secretary Dr Hasan Mahmud has urged Bangladeshi expatriates in Saudi Arabia to send remittances to the country through legal channels.
Speaking at a reception in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday afternoon he said that there are about 3 million Bangladeshis living in Saudi Arabia. Each expatriate is a representative of the country and the country is known by their behaviour.
Take steps to end Gaza conflict: Foreign Minister tells OIC
If everyone sends remittances through legal channels, it will play a big role in the country's economy, he said.
The minister said that Bangladesh's relation with Saudi Arabia is very friendly and that the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has made it multidimensional.
He said the previous relationship with the kingdom was mainly based on manpower export. “Now we have made this relationship multidimensional with cooperation in various fields including petroleum, agriculture, environment, infrastructure development, trade and investment, and technology," the foreign minister.
Foreign Minister in Jeddah to attend OIC meeting on Israeli aggression against Palestine
Hasan highlighted his participation in the recently concluded 19th Extraordinary Session of the OIC Foreign Ministers in Jeddah as well as his meetings with the Saudi Foreign Minister and the OIC Secretary General.
The minister also highlighted the discussions on the proposed visit of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Bangladesh, purchase of petroleum, and industrial cooperation in the meeting with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud, which took place in a very cordial atmosphere.
Foreign Minister to join OIC meeting on Israeli aggression
He said that the Saudi Foreign Minister has spoken about giving priority to the interests of Bangladesh.
Bangladesh Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Dr Mohammad Javed Patwary, Consul General in Jeddah Muhammad Nazmul Haque, and others attended the reception.
China pledges more serious efforts to keep its environment, ecology clean
China, the second largest economy in the world, will observe the first national ecological day to ensure the effort to keep their sky blue, water and land clean.
"Events will be held to mark China's first National Ecology Day in an effort to keep our skies blue, waters clear, and lands clean. We carried out the first batch of the third round of the central government’s environmental inspections with these efforts, China's environment saw steady improvements," Chairman of National Development and Reform Commission ( NDRC) Zheng Shanjie said.
The report on the implementation of the 2023 plan for National Economic and Social Development and the 2024 draft plan for national economic and social development revealed the information in a press conference organised on the occasion of the second session of the 14th National People’s Congress ( NPC).
NDRC chairman Zheng Shanjie on Wednesday briefed and answered to the questions to the journalists held at the Media Centre Hotel in Beijing.
Zheng Shanjie said they had promoted concerted efforts to cut carbon emissions, reduce pollution, expand green development, and pursue economic growth and made new progress in the green and low-carbon transition.
He also called upon for coordinated efforts to advance the conservation and improvement of mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands, and deserts in a holistic and systematic way, and intensify the battle against pollution.
He also said China took active and prudent steps to achieve carbon peak and carbon neutrality.
"We also worked faster to establish an economic system that facilitates green, low-carbon, and circular development," he added.
Zheng Shanjie said environmental protection and governance were strengthened and the national conference on ecological and environmental protection was held and the guidelines on comprehensively advancing the “Beautiful China Initiative” were introduced.
He also mentioned China had improved the system for region-specific environmental management and worked to implement the pollutant discharge permit system across the board and intensified efforts to control plastic pollution throughout the entire process from production to recycling and launched a three-year "Bamboo as a Substitute for Plastic" initiative.
Mentioning that they accelerated the implementation of major projects for protecting and restoring key ecosystems, he said that comprehensive measures were taken to better prevent and control soil erosion and desertification. A total of 63,000 square kilometres of land suffering from runoff and soil erosion was restored in 2023, which ensured that 72.5% of China's overall land area is now in good condition.
Minister of Finance Lan Fo'an, Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao, Governor of the People's Bank of China Pan Gongsheng, Chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission Wu Qing also attended the press conference on economy for the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing.
UN experts deplore UK Court of Appeal’s decision to revoke Shamima Begum’s citizenship
UN experts on Wednesday expressed deep concern following the 23 February 2024 ruling of the United Kingdom’s Court of Appeal in Shamima Begum’s case.
“Begum remains stripped of her citizenship, vulnerable, and denied assistance and protection as a possible victim of trafficking,” the UN experts said.
The experts called on the UK Government to take urgent action to provide Begum with assistance and protection, including repatriation to the UK, and to review and reconsider the decision to revoke her citizenship.
“Protections owed to victims of trafficking and those at risk of trafficking, especially children, must be respected to be meaningful,” they said.
The experts noted that in February 2023, the Special Immigration Appeals Commission had identified potential State failures, and possible violations of the State’s corollary duty to protect, to prevent serious human rights violations prior to Begum’s departure from the UK as a vulnerable child at the age of 15. “These circumstances were never properly investigated,” they said.
“There is a credible suspicion that Ms Begum was recruited, transferred and then harboured for the purpose of sexual exploitation,” the experts said. “Human trafficking is an international crime, a form of modern slavery.”
They stressed that under international, European and UK law, any supposed question of “consent or voluntariness, or use of force, deception or coercion is irrelevant, where the victim of trafficking is a child”.
The experts highlighted the strict obligation of the State to prevent trafficking and protect victims of trafficking or those at risk of trafficking, without discrimination on any grounds, including race or ethnicity, religion or gender.
“The obligation to investigate credible evidence of child trafficking is essential to ensure accountability for this heinous crime and serious human rights violation,” they said. “Implementing these obligations requires action and the courage to listen when judicial bodies make findings indicating a credible suspicion of child trafficking.”
The experts also expressed serious concern that, as Begum is not a citizen of any other country and is not currently entitled to any other citizenship, this judgment renders her effectively stateless, in violation of international law. They also expressed concern that the practice of depriving people of citizenship may have a disproportionate impact on people from non-while racial and ethnic backgrounds, especially people from Muslim communities.
“Given the continuing serious risk of irreparable harm, we urge British authorities to take steps to ensure Begum’s protection and to follow the lead of many other governments who are now repatriating women and children from northeast Syria,” the experts said. “Under international law, all governments have a responsibility to take all necessary and possible measures to protect, through repatriation, their nationals detained in North-East Syria, due to the conditions there constituting cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.”
The UN experts have raised these concerns in previous communications (GBR 18/2023, 13/2022, 3/2022) to the United Kingdom and in a submission to the Special Immigration Appeals Commission.
The experts are Siobhán Mullally, Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children; Mama Fatima Singhateh, Special Rapporteur on the sale, sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of children Reem Alsalem, Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, its causes and consequences; Tomoya Obokata, Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, including its causes and consequences, Ben Saul, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism.
Take steps to end Gaza conflict: Foreign Minister tells OIC
Foreign Minister Hassan Mahmud on Tuesday called on the member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to take appropriate measures to end the conflict in Gaza and ensure human rights for the Palestinian people by considering possible alternatives.
He made the call while addressing an extraordinary meeting of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers in Jeddah that discussed the continued Israeli aggression against Palestinian people.
Bangladesh seeks Saudi cooperation in crude oil purchase
OIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha also addressed the opening session of the meeting.
The foreign minister reiterated Bangladesh's strong support to Palestine and called for an immediate ceasefire, ensuring the humanitarian corridor remains open.
He emphasized on the Islamic financial safety net to ensure the basic needs of the Palestinians.
The Foreign Minister referred to Bangladesh's strong statement at the International Court of Justice in February 2024 regarding the legal consequences arising from Israel's policies and practices in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and expressed hope that peace would soon be established in the region as demanded by the Muslim Ummah.
Minister Hasan said for this there is no alternative to the unity of the Muslim Ummah and the determination of all parties.
He also highlighted the need to reform the UN Security Council to reach decisions on issues of global importance.
Meeting with Saudi Foreign Minister & OIC Secretary General
Foreign Minister Hasan met Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and OIC Secretary General at the organization's secretariat in Jeddah.
In the meeting with the Saudi Foreign Minister, Minister Hassan expressed his satisfaction with the bilateral engagement between the two brotherly countries and hoped that this cooperation will deepen in the coming days.
He expressed hope that the proposed visit of Saudi Crown Prince to Bangladesh will take place soon at a convenient time.
The Saudi Foreign Minister said that further discussions will be held on the upcoming visit and Saudi Arabia considers its engagement with Bangladesh on the basis of advanced economic cooperation.
In a meeting with the OIC Secretary General, the foreign minister reiterated Bangladesh's strong support for Palestine, stressing the need for Muslim countries to unite under the leadership of the OIC.
Minister Hassan appreciated the OIC's relentless support and cooperation for the Rohingya crisis, particularly the OIC's efforts to raise funds for the Rohingya case filed by Gambia at the ICJ, and hoped that it would continue.
He invited the OIC Secretary General to visit Bangladesh to see the current situation of Rohingyas.
Foreign Minister Hasan called for greater trade and investment among OIC member countries to counter the dire economic situation globally caused by the Russia-Ukraine war and proposed the formation of a cell in the OIC Secretariat to disseminate trade-related information to members.
Both the Saudi Foreign Minister and the OIC Secretary General congratulated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on forming the government for the 4th consecutive time, and expressed full cooperation on the Rohingya issue.
Earlier, Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) was held at the headquarters of the OIC’s General Secretariat, on Monday.
Ambassador Samir Bakr, the Assistant Secretary-General for Palestine and Al-Quds Affairs delivered the General Secretariat's speech, referring to the horrific massacre committed by the Israeli occupation forces, which claimed the lives of hundreds of martyrs and wounded while they were waiting to receive food aid at the end of last February.
Bakr said that this massacre constituted an example and witness to the war crimes practiced by the Israeli occupation army, which necessitates redoubling legal efforts, especially at the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice, as they are a legitimate and effective tool for holding the Israeli occupation accountable.
Bakr also said that Israel, the occupying power, continuing to carry out bloody crimes and massacres against the Palestinian people calls for a more effective movement with a more profound impact on the international arena, with the aim of confronting this brutal Israeli aggression by all legitimate and possible means, including political, legal, and media efforts, in implementation of the resolutions adopted by the Joint Arab and Islamic Summit held on November 11, 2023, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
In November last year, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia hosted the extraordinary joint Arab and Islamic Summit, in Riyadh, jointly organized by the OIC and the League of Arab States.
The Conference adopted a number of decisions, in particular assigning a committee of the Foreign Ministers of Member States, to tour world capitals and international organizations in order to stop Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people.
As part of its continued efforts to stop the brutal Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people since October 7, the OIC also held an open-ended executive committee extraordinary meeting at the foreign minister level, at its headquarters on October 18 last year.
Bangladesh seeks Saudi cooperation in crude oil purchase
Bangladesh and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have discussed sectoral cooperation between the two countries and increased trade and investment opportunities including crude oil purchase from the KSA.
Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud on Tuesday met Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud at the OIC Secretariat in Jeddah and discussed issues of mutual interest.
Foreign Minister Hasan sought cooperation in crude oil purchase which his Saudi counterpart assured to consider including investment in refinery and petrochemical industries.
He is leading the Bangladesh delegation at the OIC meeting on Israel's aggression on the Palestinian People in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
During the meeting, Bangladesh Foreign Minister expressed satisfaction on the level of bilateral engagement between the two brotherly countries and hoped that such cooperation would deepen in the coming days.
He hoped that the proposed visit of the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Bangladesh will take place soon at a convenient time.
The Saudi Foreign Minister assured of further discussing this upcoming visit mentioning that Saudi Arabia considers their engagement with Bangladesh on the basis of sophisticated economic cooperation which has taken place during the last three years.
Bangladesh Foreign Minister reiterated his country’s firm support for the cause of Palestine.
Expressing concern on the escalation of violence leading to genocide, he hoped that the strong statement delivered at the Extraordinary CFM would help in ending the conflict soon thus responding to the demand of the Muslim Ummah.
Saudi Foreign Minister congratulated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on forming government for the 4th consecutive time and praised her leadership for hosting forcibly displaced Rohingya people in Bangladesh on humanitarian ground while assuring full cooperation of Saudi Arabia on the Rohingya issue. He also praised her leadership for taking Bangladesh to new heights of economic development.
Earlier, Foreign Minister Hasan paid a call on the OIC Secretary General Hissein Brahim Taha at his office at the OIC Secretariat in Jeddah.
During the meeting, the Foreign Minister reiterated Bangladesh’s firm support for the cause of Palestine underscoring the need of Muslim countries to unite under the leadership of the OIC.
He mentioned the strong statement delivered by Bangladesh at the ICJ in February on the Legal Consequences arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and hoped that peace will be established soon in the region which is the desire of the Muslim Ummah.
Foreign Minister appreciated the relentless support and cooperation of the OIC for Rohingya crisis, particularly OIC’s efforts to mobilize fund for the Rohingya case filed by The Gambia in the ICJ and hoped for its continuation.
He invited the Secretary General to visit Bangladesh again to see the current situation of the Rohingyas particularly in Bhasan Char .
The OIC Secretary General praised the exemplary leadership of Sheikh Hasina for hosting forcibly displaced Rohingya people in Bangladesh on humanitarian ground, and reaffirmed OIC’s unwavering resolve to support Rohingya people.
The Foreign Minister called on greater trade and investment among the OIC Member States to counter the dire economic situation created worldwide due to the Russia- Ukraine war and proposed setting up of a Cell at the OIC Secretariat to disseminate trade related information to the members.
National People's Congress of China being held, to continue till March 11
The Great Hall of the People of China on Tuesday turned into a place of peoples' representation as the National People's Congress (NPC), China's national legislature, is holding its annual meeting which will continue till March 11.
President of China Xi Jinping and other Chinese leaders attended the opening meeting of the second session at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
He also stressed developing new quality productive forces for the overall development of the country.
Premier of the State Council of China Li Qiang presented the report on the work of the government at the week-long second session.
Setting a goal to focus on high-quality development, the report said China will create over 12 million jobs in urban areas, and keep the surveyed urban unemployment rate at about 5.5 percent within 2024.
The country also plans to spend 1.66554 trillion yuan (around 234.5 billion U.S. dollars) on defense, up 7.2 percent, and set an inflation target of about 3 percent seeking to achieve a GDP growth rate of around 5 percent for 2024, the report said.
The agendas are to deliberate the report on the work of the government, review the report on the implementation of the 2023 plan for national economic and social development and on the 2024 draft plan, and the draft plan for national economic and social development in 2024, review the report on the execution of the central and local budgets for 2023 and on the draft central and local budgets for 2024, and the draft central and local budgets for 2024, deliberate the bill put forward by the NPC Standing Committee on reviewing the draft revision to the Organic Law of the State Council, the work report of the NPC Standing Committee, work report of the Supreme People's Court, work report of the Supreme People's Procuratorate.
Over 2.7 million deputies at the five levels of people's congresses, including nearly 3,000 deputies have their representation in NPC as it is designed to include people from various backgrounds and cover a diverse cross-section of society.
Deputies at various levels are key channels for people's voices and are entitled and obliged to stand for the people's interests and express their requests.
Every ethnic group has its NPC deputy or deputies. NPC deputies submit motions and are the voice of the people they represent.
At the annual full session, they review and vote on important legal documents and personnel changes, such as the election of the president and vice president of China every five years, in addition to submitting proposals while the NPC Standing Committee will exercise its power, holding sessions to deliberate and adopt laws, among other matters.
When not in session, they interact with the people, take up training programs, and participate in inspections of law enforcement and research on important or urgent issues. Some of them are invited to observe bi-monthly legislative sessions of the NPC Standing Committee, a permanent body of the NPC.
NPC is the highest organ of State power and China's top legislative body while its permanent body is the Standing Committee. Each congress is elected for a 5-year term.
This year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the NPC. Since Sept. 15, 1954, when about 1,200 deputies elected by universal suffrage gathered in Beijing to attend the first session of the first NPC.
It deliberates and passes major laws, decides on major issues, and supervises the work of the State Council, the Supreme People's Court and the Supreme People's Procuratorate.
Russian House celebrates 300th anniversary of Russian Academy of Sciences
The 300th anniversary of the Russian Academy of Sciences has been celebrated by Russian House in Dhaka.
A science carnival has been organized for 3 days (March 5–7) by the Russian House in Dhaka in cooperation with Legend International School (LIS).
The opening ceremony was held today and was dedicated to the 300th anniversary of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
At the opening ceremony Pavel Dvoychenkov, Director of Russian House in Dhaka; Faiz Ahmed Jahangir Masud, Principal of LIS; Director of LIS Shahriar Parvez and famous physicist Dr. M. Arshad Momen were present.
Director of the Russian House described the history of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the role and importance of this organization as a pioneer in the practice of world science.
He also talked about the activities of the Russian House in Dhaka in cooperation with science, education and cultural development of Bangladesh.
Other speakers talked about the acceptance and pioneering role of Russia in science and technology around the world and they gratefully recalled the unforgettable contribution of Russia in creating talent in science and technology in Bangladesh. They sought the special cooperation of the Russian House in Dhaka for science, education, and cultural bridging between Russia and Bangladesh.
In the second part of the program renowned scientist Farsi Mamun discussed a science-based seminar and various science project displays were held by school students.
END/UNB/SI/ssk
China to step up efforts to promote green development: Li Qiang
Premier Li Qiang of China on Tuesday said his country will move towards enhancing ecological conservation and promote green and low-carbon development.
He said this at the presentation of the report on the work of the government at the week-long second session of the 14th national people congress of China held at the great hall of Beijing.
The National People's Congress (NPC), China's national legislature, opened its annual session on Tuesday and it will continue till March 11.
Li also said they will make concerted efforts to cut carbon emissions, reduce pollution, pursue green development, and boost economic growth so as to build a Beautiful China featuring harmony between humanity and nature.
Mentioning the comprehensive steps to improve the environment, the premier said the government will further implement the action plan for continuously improving air quality, make coordinated efforts to improve water resources, aquatic environments, and aquatic ecosystems, and better prevent and control soil contamination at the source.
Foreign Minister in Jeddah to attend OIC meeting on Israeli aggression against Palestine
The control and treatment of solid waste, new pollutants, and plastic pollution will be stepped up, he added.
Referring to the holistic and systematic approach to the protection and conservation of mountain, water, forest, farmland, grassland, and desert ecosystems and adopt a stronger region-specific approach to environmental management, he said they will make full preparations to ensure the success of the three landmark projects for the shelterbelt programme in northwest, north, and northeast China. The development of national parks will be advanced.
To promote the ecological conservation and improvement of important rivers, lakes, and reservoirs, the premier promised the government will continue to enforce the 10-year fishing ban on the Yangtze River, and carry out major biodiversity conservation programmes.
Premier Li said it will improve the mechanisms for realising the market value of ecosystem goods and services and the systems of compensation for ecological conservation to motivate everyone to get involved in environmental conservation and protection.
He said they will push forward with the green transformation of the industrial structure, the energy mix, and the transportation sector as well as urban and rural development.
The report also said the government will see that coal and coal-fired power play their crucial role in ensuring energy supply to meet the needs of social development.
President of China Xi Jinping and other Chinese leaders attended the opening meeting.
Dr Yunus, Opportunity International CTO discuss possible collaboration at US Ambassador’s dinner
Foreign Minister in Jeddah to attend OIC meeting on Israeli aggression against Palestine
Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud is attending an extraordinary meeting of OIC Council of Foreign Ministers in Jeddah today to discuss the continued Israeli aggression against Palestinian people.
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is holding the meeting at the headquarters of its General Secretariat in Jeddah, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
From Türkiye, Foreign Minister Hasan traveled to Jeddah to attend the meeting.
The preparatory Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) for the extraordinary session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC-CFM) was held at the headquarters of the OIC’s General Secretariat on Monday.
Ambassador Samir Bakr, the Assistant Secretary-General for Palestine and Al-Quds Affairs delivered the General Secretariat's speech, referring to the horrific massacre committed by the Israeli occupation forces, which claimed the lives of hundreds while they were waiting to receive food aid at the end of February.
Bakr said that this massacre constituted an example and witness to the war crimes practiced by the Israeli occupation army, which necessitates redoubling legal efforts, especially at the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice, as they are a legitimate and effective tool for holding the Israeli occupation accountable.
Bakr also said that Israel, the occupying power, continuing to carry out bloody crimes and massacres against the Palestinian people calls for a more effective movement with a more profound impact on the international arena, with the aim of confronting this brutal Israeli aggression by all legitimate and possible means, including political, legal, and media efforts, in implementation of the resolutions adopted by the Joint Arab and Islamic Summit held on November 11, 2023, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The SOM will submit its draft resolution to the extraordinary OIC-CFM for adoption at the OIC’s headquarters today (Tuesday).
OIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha is expected to address the opening session of the OIC meeting.
In November last year, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia hosted the extraordinary joint Arab and Islamic Summit, in Riyadh, jointly organized by the OIC and the League of Arab States.
The Conference adopted a number of decisions, in particular assigning a committee of the Foreign Ministers of Member States, to tour world capitals and international organizations in order to stop Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people.
Read: US honours Bangladesh Supreme Court lawyer Fawzia Karim with 2024 International Women of Courage Award
As part of its continued efforts to stop the brutal Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people since October 7, the OIC also held an open-ended executive committee extraordinary meeting at the foreign minister level, at its headquarters on October 18 last year.
During his participation in the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Türkiye on March 1-3, the Foreign Minister described the event as a significant platform for international dialogue.
At the Forum, Hasan emphasized the urgent need for a collective effort to end the ongoing genocide in Gaza, holding Israel accountable for committing crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing.
In an interview with TRT World, Hasan highlighted the lack of sufficient global action to halt the violence and atrocities in Gaza.
"What's happening in Gaza is simply crimes against humanity. Not only crimes against humanity, ethnic cleansing is going on," he stated, pointing out the devastating toll on civilians, with over 30,000 people, predominantly women and children, killed in the conflict.
The Foreign Minister said they have not seen enough effort to stop this “war and genocide” and Israel is violating all the norms of any war.
Representing Bangladesh at the Forum in Türkiye, Hasan underscored the potential of the global community gathered there to play a pivotal role in addressing these atrocities.
"I think we can raise our united voices to stop these atrocities, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity in Gaza and stop Israel," he was heard saying in the video interview.
The Forum, initiated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye and under the patronage of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, ended on March 3.
This year's edition convenes heads of state, government officials, diplomats, business leaders, academics, and representatives from various sectors to discuss “Advancing Diplomacy in Times of Turmoil”, the theme for this year.