分类： politics

Senior Chinese officials emphasized the nation’s unwavering stance on Taiwan and regional development strategies during deliberations at the ongoing National People’s Congress session in Beijing.

Wang Huning, Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference National Committee, articulated China’s firm position against Taiwan independence separatist activities and external interference while participating in discussions with Taiwan delegation representatives. He stressed the critical importance of upholding the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus as fundamental to cross-Strait relations. Wang advocated for implementing the Party’s comprehensive strategy for Taiwan question resolution in the new era, enhancing confidence in eventual reunification, and fostering the inevitable trend toward national unity through peaceful development of cross-Strait relations.

Emphasizing the familial bond between mainland China and Taiwan, Wang called for intensified cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation, promoting integrated development, and jointly creating sustainable wellbeing for the Chinese nation.

Concurrently, other senior leaders engaged in policy deliberations with provincial delegations. Cai Qi, member of the CPC Central Committee Secretariat, discussed Qinghai’s development strategy, emphasizing the need for maintaining strategic focus and leveraging comparative advantages for differentiated development aligned with local conditions. He encouraged exploring innovative pathways for ecological conservation and green development coordination while improving livelihoods and preventing large-scale poverty recurrence. Cai further highlighted strengthening ethnic unity and fostering a robust sense of community among all Chinese ethnic groups.

Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang met with delegations from Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions, noting the remarkable progress in implementing the ‘one country, two systems’ framework over the past five years. He urged both regions to actively align with China’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), better integrate into national development frameworks, and contribute significantly to Chinese modernization. For Hong Kong, Ding emphasized consolidating its international financial, shipping, and trade center status while fully leveraging educational, scientific, and talent advantages. For Macao, he stressed advancing economic diversification and accelerating construction of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin.

KATHMANDU, Nepal — Nepal’s political landscape has undergone a seismic transformation as the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), led by former rapper Balendra Shah, achieved a decisive victory in the nation’s first parliamentary elections since youth-led protests toppled the established government. The Election Commission’s Sunday results revealed the nascent political movement had secured 103 of 165 directly elected parliamentary seats while leading in 21 additional constituencies.

The remarkable electoral performance represents a dramatic repudiation of Nepal’s traditional political dynasties that have dominated governance for decades. The Nepali Congress and Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist), which have alternated power through successive administrations, were comprehensively defeated by the four-year-old reformist party.

Balendra Shah, the charismatic rapper-turned-politician who previously won Kathmandu’s mayoral race in 2022, emerged as the central figure during the 2025 popular uprising that unseated former Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli. Shah is now positioned to become Nepal’s next prime minister as his party demonstrates overwhelming electoral support.

Beyond the directly elected seats, the RSP also commands approximately 51% of the proportional representation votes that will determine the allocation of 110 additional parliamentary seats. This dual dominance virtually ensures the party will comfortably exceed the 138-seat threshold required to form a government in the 275-member House of Representatives.

National newspapers heralded the political upheaval as historic, with The Himalayan Times declaring “RSP set for a landslide victory” and Annapurna Post describing the outcome as a “People’s ballot revolt; shift in political paradigm.”

Despite the euphoria among supporters, who have celebrated with traditional flower garlands and vermilion powder ceremonies, party officials have called for restrained celebrations in remembrance of those killed during last year’s protests. The youth-led movement began as opposition to social media restrictions before escalating into widespread demonstrations against systemic corruption and governance failures that resulted in dozens of fatalities when security forces clashed with protesters.

The electoral system permits voters two ballots: one for constituency representatives and another for party preference. The RSP’s commanding performance across both voting mechanisms signals a fundamental realignment in Nepali politics toward reform and accountability.

Tens of thousands of demonstrators converged on the US Embassy in London on Saturday, with organizers estimating over 50,000 participants marching in vehement opposition to ongoing US-Israeli military operations against Iran. The substantial protest, organized by a coalition of activist groups including Hands off Iran, Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Stop the War, Muslim Association of Britain, Palestinian Forum in Britain, and Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, proceeded from Millbank to the embassy compound in Vauxhall.

The demonstration occurred during the eighth consecutive day of aerial assaults against Iranian targets, coinciding with President Donald Trump’s recent declaration that the United States would intensify strikes against Iran ‘very hard’ in coming days. Protesters vocalized their demands through chants of ‘stop the bombing now, now, now’ and directed political criticism toward British opposition leader Keir Starmer with the refrain ‘be afraid, we will see you in The Hague.’

Labour MP Zarah Sultana addressed the assembled crowd, drawing parallels to the 2003 Iraq invasion: ‘Back then, we were told that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction. We were told that war would bring peace and democracy. We were told that the war would protect Iraqis and protect the world, but the truth was very different.’ Sultana emphasized that unlike previous anti-war demonstrations that were ‘ignored,’ current protesters ‘will not be ignored again’ in their advocacy for peace and justice.

The geopolitical context intensified hours before the protest when US Air Force B-1 Lancer bombers landed at Royal Air Force Fairford in Gloucestershire. US War Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that American forces would utilize British military installations to ‘dramatically’ escalate strikes against Iranian missile sites, an arrangement formally permitted by the UK government.

Meanwhile, a counter-protest designated ‘Stage for Freedom’ prepared to march from Whitehall to Knightsbridge in support of US objectives toward regime change in Iran, highlighting the divisive nature of the conflict within British society.

A startling NBC News report revealing President Donald Trump’s private enthusiasm for deploying American ground forces in Iran has triggered immediate bipartisan condemnation from U.S. lawmakers. The disclosure comes as military operations against Iran enter their second week of destructive engagements.

Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) characterized the potential escalation as “madness,” while Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) accused Trump of being “hellbent on escalating his reckless war.” The White House attempted to counter the narrative, though Trump himself acknowledged to the New York Post that he maintains no reservations about deploying troops if deemed necessary, distinguishing himself from previous presidents who outright rejected such options.

The political firestorm intensified as Trump issued fresh threats via social media, falsely claiming Iran had “surrendered” to regional neighbors following missile attacks by Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps units. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian responded with defiance, rejecting Trump’s demand for “unconditional surrender” as “a dream that they must take with themselves to the grave.”

Pezeshkian extended an olive branch for diplomatic resolution while simultaneously warning that all U.S. and Israeli military assets across the region would become “primary targets” if hostilities continue. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reinforced this stance, stating Iranian forces await any American ground invasion with confidence.

Foreign policy experts warn Trump has created an untenable situation through maximalist demands that essentially require regime change in the nation of 90 million people. Ryan Costello of the National Iranian American Council noted the president faces either backing down from unattainable objectives or escalating further with potentially catastrophic consequences.

BEIJING – Senior Chinese leadership figures participated in crucial deliberations during the fourth session of the 14th National People’s Congress on Saturday, outlining strategic directions for national development and regional stability.

Wang Huning, Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference National Committee, engaged with NPC deputies from the Taiwan delegation, addressing the complex dynamics in the Taiwan Strait. He emphasized the ongoing efforts to navigate cross-strait relations while firmly opposing separatist activities and external interference. Wang advocated for sustained promotion of peaceful development across the strait and advancement toward national reunification.

Meanwhile, Cai Qi, member of the Secretariat of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, joined deliberations with representatives from Qinghai province. He encouraged the region to pursue distinctive development strategies tailored to local conditions while maintaining ecological conservation as a priority. Cai further stressed the importance of fostering national unity and enhancing interactions among all ethnic groups to strengthen the sense of community.

Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang met separately with deputies from Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions, urging greater alignment with China’s 15th Five-Year Plan. He called for enhanced integration of both regions into national development frameworks to contribute significantly to Chinese modernization. Ding specifically highlighted the need to consolidate Hong Kong’s status as an international financial, shipping, and trade hub while leveraging its educational, scientific, and talent advantages. For Macao, he emphasized advancing the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin.

All three officials serve as members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, underscoring the significance of these deliberations in shaping China’s policy directions.

BEIJING – In a significant policy announcement, Chinese officials have revealed that approximately one-third of the nation’s development objectives for the 2026-2030 period will specifically target resolving the most pressing concerns affecting citizens’ daily lives. The disclosure came during a press conference held Saturday by Zheng Bei, deputy head of the National Development and Reform Commission.

The draft outline of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan incorporates concrete metrics designed to elevate national living standards, with particular emphasis on educational attainment and healthcare accessibility. Among the key benchmarks are targets to increase the average years of education within the working-age population, extend average life expectancy, and boost the ratio of medical professionals per 1,000 residents.

This human-centered development strategy represents a continuation of China’s governance approach that prioritizes addressing fundamental quality-of-life issues. The comprehensive plan, which serves as the country’s primary socioeconomic roadmap, demonstrates the government’s commitment to translating economic growth into tangible improvements in public welfare.

The announcement coincides with the annual sessions of China’s national legislative and political advisory bodies, where development planning takes center stage in policy discussions. The targeted initiatives reflect extensive research into population needs and are expected to drive significant resource allocation toward social development programs in the coming half-decade.