Lightning: Saudi Arabia-led coalition launches airstrikes on Yemen's Mukalla port – media

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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News

Xinhua | December 30, 2025

Keywords: Saudi Arabia-Yemen

Source: Xinhua

Flash: The Saudi Arabia-led coalition launched airstrikes on the Yemeni port of Mukalla — media. Flash: The Saudi Arabia-led coalition launched airstrikes on the Yemeni port of Mukalla — media.

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Zhejiang Province: New Year's flowers arrive at Shaoxing market

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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News

In anticipation of the New Year, the Shaoxing Flower Market, located in Lizhu Township, Keqiao District, Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province, begins its New Year's flower season. Locals and tourists alike purchase a wide variety of flowers, houseplants, and bonsai. The Shaoxing Flower Market covers an area of 1,000 mu (15 mu = 1 hectare) and is a comprehensive center combining exhibition and trading areas, recreational and entertainment zones, cultural and interactive spaces, and more.

Photo by Xinhua News Agency correspondent Xu Yu.

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The PLA is conducting exercises in maritime target assault, anti-aircraft and anti-submarine operations north and south of Taiwan Island.

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BEIJING, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) — The People's Liberation Army's Eastern Zone Combat Command (PLA ECCC) is conducting naval assault, anti-aircraft and anti-submarine warfare exercises north and south of Taiwan on Tuesday, the ECCC said.

Destroyers, frigates, fighters and bombers were deployed to practice identification and verification, warning and disengagement scenarios, simulated strikes, attacks on naval targets, and anti-aircraft and anti-submarine operations.

The exercises are aimed at testing the troops' capabilities to coordinate the actions of naval and air forces and implement a comprehensive blockade and control, the VZBK added. -0-

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New progress, new stage, new initiative: China's diplomacy in 2025 shows new momentum

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From the joint participation of leaders from many countries in the opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin to the SCO Summit in Tianjin and the meeting of the leaders of China and France in Dujiangyang County, Chengdu, Chinese diplomacy in 2025 has left a trail of remarkable events.

This year, against the backdrop of a rapidly changing international environment, Chinese diplomacy has actively built relationships with major powers, deepened regional cooperation, and contributed to global governance through a series of concrete and effective steps.

New progress

Amid growing global instability and profound changes, the choice between cooperation and confrontation among major powers constantly keeps the international community on edge. This year, China actively promoted coordination and constructive engagement among leading countries, allowing the outside world to better understand China's chosen path.

China-US relations are the most important bilateral relationship in the world today. This year, the leaders of China and the US held a meeting in Busan and four telephone conversations, which not only set the tone for bilateral relations but also strengthened the foundation of cooperation and stability. Under the strategic guidance of the two leaders, China-US trade negotiations have achieved positive results, sending a reassuring signal to the global economy.

This year marked the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the European Union, and through intensive exchanges, the two sides have steadily advanced their relationship. From the joint visit of EU leaders to China, to successive visits throughout the year by Spanish Prime Minister Sánchez, Foreign Minister Álvarez, and King Felipe VI, as well as the visit of French President Macron, during which the two leaders declared a "new 60-year cycle" for Sino-French relations, dialogues between China and Europe at all levels have continued, and areas of cooperation have steadily expanded.

This year, Chinese-Russian relations have stood the test of a volatile international environment. From the mutual participation of heads of state in commemorative events held in each other's countries to commemorate the 80th anniversary of victory in World War II, to regular meetings between prime ministers and consultations on strategic security issues, the outside world has seen that bilateral relations between China and Russia have become even more stable and mature.

Ding Chun, Director of the Center for European Studies at Fudan University, noted that in 2025, China made new progress in building relations with major powers, which contributed to the overall stability and balanced development of these relations and brought much-needed stability to a troubled world.

New stage

In April of this year, the Central Conference on Neighboring Countries was held, proposing to jointly create a bright future with neighboring countries. From Southeast Asia to Russia, from Central Asia to the Republic of Korea, Chinese President Xi Jinping made four overseas visits, demonstrating the high priority China places on diplomacy with neighboring countries.

As Xu Liping, a research fellow at the Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies and Global Strategy at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, noted, during these four visits, the Chinese leader and the heads of the host countries conducted further high-level planning for the development of bilateral and regional relations and outlined new areas of comprehensive cooperation, which contributed to the entry of China's relations with neighboring countries into a new stage.

Whether it was the phrase in Southeast Asia that “joys are shared together and difficulties are overcome together,” the call in Russia to “pass through storms and cross mountains together,” the explanation in Central Asia of the principle of “comprehensive love and mutual benefit,” or the explanation in the Republic of Korea of the idea that “helping your neighbor helps yourself,” Xi Jinping has vividly expounded China’s concept of good-neighborly relations, making it even more understandable.

Xu Liping noted that China consistently views its neighboring countries as a priority in its diplomacy, continually deepening political mutual trust and converging interests with them. This contributes to maintaining peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region and makes a positive contribution to global development.

New initiative

Today, as unilateralism resurfaces and global challenges mount, the issue of improving global governance is once again at the forefront of the global agenda. This year, China proposed a new initiative.

On September 1, at the SCO Plus meeting in Tianjin, Chinese President Xi Jinping launched the Global Governance Initiative. Soon after its launch, this initiative received the clear support of more than 140 countries and international organizations.

According to Du Lan, deputy director of the Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies at the China Institute of International Studies, the Global Governance Initiative takes fairness and justice as the benchmark for governance reform, which meets the needs of the times and the aspirations of the people.

Immediately following the SCO summit, on September 3, China held a grand military parade to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. Twenty-six foreign heads of state and government arrived in Beijing, representing all five continents, expressing a common position in support of upholding the results of victory in World War II and the post-war international order.

Du Lan noted that in the year of the 80th anniversary of the founding of the UN, China, by holding commemorative events, demonstrated its firm support for this organization, as well as its determination and ability to uphold international justice, giving impetus to global governance.

The announcement of the 2035 Nationally Determined Contribution target for climate governance, the active implementation of the "Global AI Governance Initiative," and the promotion of the International Mediation Center… Since the beginning of this year, China has made active contributions to global governance in many areas.

According to some commentators, China is proposing solutions to global governance, taking on serious commitments, and playing a constructive role in advancing reform and improvement of this system. The Chinese moment in global governance is not the future, but the present.

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Hamas has confirmed the death of its military wing spokesman.

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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News

Gaza, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) — The Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Palestinian Hamas movement, announced on Monday that its spokesman Abu Obeida was killed during the Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip.

This was announced during a televised press conference by a new official representative, dressed in the same uniform as the previous one and adopting the same pseudonym, Abu Obeida.

He confirmed that Abu Obeida, whose real name was Hudhayfa Samir al-Kahlut and who was also known as Abu Ibrahim, was killed.

The new spokesman for the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades said Abu Obeida "remained connected to his people during the darkest times." He also confirmed the deaths of several other leaders, including the former head of Hamas's military wing, Mohammed Sinwar.

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Construction of a highway through the Rikoti Pass has been completed in Georgia.

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Tbilisi, December 29 (Xinhua) — Construction of the highway through the Rikoti Pass in Georgia has been completed. The Georgian Public Broadcaster reported on Monday, citing the government, that the new four-lane highway will be fully open to traffic starting at 12:00 p.m. on December 30.

The 52-kilometer route includes 51 tunnels and 97 bridges. The longest tunnel is 1,800 meters long, and the longest bridge is 1,362 meters.

The new highway is equipped with a modern lighting system and fully complies with international road safety standards, ensuring safety and comfort for all road users. –0–

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Accelerating the deployment of renewable energy is crucial for energy security in the South Caucasus countries – EBRD

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Tbilisi, December 29 (Xinhua) — Accelerated deployment of renewable energy sources and modernization of electricity grids are crucial for strengthening energy security and unlocking the export potential of South Caucasus countries, especially in the context of strategic projects such as the Black Sea undersea cable, Alkis Drakinos, Regional Director for the Caucasus at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), said in an interview with Business Insider Georgia on Monday.

According to him, the EBRD views infrastructure and energy integration in the South Caucasus as a key driver of sustainable economic growth and deeper regional connectivity. In this regard, the bank is paying particular attention to modernizing electricity transmission networks in Georgia and Armenia to effectively integrate variable renewable energy sources, including wind, solar, and hydropower.

In the transport sector, the EBRD sees significant potential in the development of multimodal logistics corridors, including the Armenian Corridor and Georgian port infrastructure. These projects, according to A. Drakinos, could strengthen the region's role as a transit hub within the Middle Corridor.

The EBRD Regional Director added that modernizing road and rail networks, ports, and digitalizing customs and border procedures will help reduce trade costs and increase the region's resilience to geopolitical risks.

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Armenia and Türkiye have decided to mutually simplify the visa issuance procedure for holders of special types of passports.

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Yerevan, December 29 (Xinhua) — Armenia and Turkey have decided to mutually simplify visa procedures for holders of diplomatic, special, and service passports of the two countries. The Armenian Foreign Ministry's press service reported this on Monday.

According to this decision, from January 1, 2026, holders of diplomatic, service and special passports of both countries will be able to obtain an electronic visa free of charge.

The statement noted that the decision was made within the framework of agreements reached between special representatives of Armenia and Turkey on the normalization of relations between the two countries.

“Armenia and Turkey once again confirm their commitment to continuing the process of normalizing relations between the two countries with the goal of achieving full normalization without any preconditions,” the press service of the Armenian Foreign Ministry added. –0–

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Former Kyrgyz President A. Atambayev has been stripped of several state awards.

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Bishkek, December 29 (Xinhua) — Former Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev has been stripped of several state awards. Current President Sadyr Japarov signed a decree to this effect, the presidential press service announced on Monday.

As stated on the website of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, S. Japarov signed a decree according to which, in pursuance of the court verdict of June 3, 2025 and on the basis of the relevant laws, A. Atambayev is deprived of such state awards as the highest degree of distinction of Kyrgyzstan “Kyrgyz Respublikasynyn Baatyry” /”Hero of the Kyrgyz Republic”/, the Order of Manas, 2nd degree, the Order of Danaker /”Peacekeeping”/ and the medal “Dank” /”Glory”/.

The decree also annulled previously issued presidential decrees from 1999, 2007 and 2017, as well as the corresponding paragraph of the 2011 presidential decree on awarding A. Atambayev with state awards.

A. Atambayev served twice as Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan and was the country's President from December 2011 to November 2017. –0–

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Haibat al-Halbousi elected as new speaker of Iraq's parliament

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Baghdad, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) — Iraq's Council of Representatives (parliament) on Monday elected Haibat al-Halbousi as its new chairman, marking the first major step toward forming the country's new government.

The elections were chaired by MP Amer al-Fayez. H. al-Halbousi won, receiving the required absolute majority of votes.

H. al-Halbousi received 208 of the 309 votes cast by lawmakers present in the 329-member parliament. His main rival, Salem al-Essawi, received 66 votes, while Amer Abdul Jabbar received 9. Another 26 ballots were invalidated.

These elections are a key step that launches the next stage of the constitutionally mandated procedure for appointing the country's leadership. –0–

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