A woman cries as she holds a lit candle for the victims of Wednesday's blast in Kabul, Afghanistan June 1, 2017. [Photo/Agencies] Xi condemns terror attack in message of condolence China strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Afghanistan's capital Kabul, President Xi Jinping said in a condolence message sent to his Afghan counterpart Mohammad Ashraf Ghani on Thursday. On behalf of Chinese government and people, as well as in the name of himself, Xi mourned deeply for the victims of the attack, and expressed sincere condolence to the injured and the victims' families. Noting that the truck bomb attack had caused huge casualties, Xi said China opposes all forms of terrorism. China would like to join hands with international community to support the Afghan government and people firmly to prevent and fight against terrorism and maintain national stability, Xi said. Premier Li Keqiang also sent a message of condolence to Afghan Chief Executive Officer Abdullah Abdullah on Thursday, in which he strongly condemned the terrorist attack. China opposes all forms of terrorism, Li said, adding that China will provide persistent and firm support to Afghan government's continuous efforts to safeguard national security and stability and fight against terrorism. Afghans mourned the loss of family members, friends and colleagues on Thursday, a day after the massive truck bomb exploded in the capital leaving at least 90 people dead and more than 450 others wounded in one of the worst extremist attacks since the drawdown of foreign forces from Afghanistan in 2014. The city's acting mayor said the explosion damaged property as far as 4 kilometers away from the blast site and scores of people waited in hospitals to learn the status of family and friends wounded in the attack. The bomber drove into Kabul's heavily guarded diplomatic quarter during the morning rush, leaving behind chaos and destruction. Most of the casualties were civilians, including women and children, but the dead also included Afghan security guards. There was no claim of responsibility. Afghanistan's intelligence agency has blamed the Taliban-allied Haqqani network for the attack, but the Taliban have denied they were involved. White House is considering sending thousands more soldiers to break the deadlock in the battle against the Taliban. The device was hidden in a truck used to clean septic tanks, according to Najib Danish, deputy spokesman for the interior minister. The trucks are common in Kabul, a city of nearly 4 million people with no sewage system that mostly depends on septic tanks, and where open sewers are common. The blast gouged a crater about 5 meters deep in the Wazir Akbar Khan district, where foreign embassies are protected by their own security personnel as well as Afghan police and National Security Forces. The nearby German Embassy was heavily damaged. Also in the area is Afghanistan's Foreign Ministry, the Presidential Palace and its intelligence and security headquarters, guarded by soldiers trained by the US and its coalition partners. The lights of the Eiffel Tower were switched off on Wednesday night to honor the scores of victims. The landmark had gone dark on Tuesday after suicide blasts in Baghdad killed 42. AP contributed to this story. [email protected]wristband sportswristbands with a messagecustom wrist sweatbandsbracelet maker onlinewide rubber bands24 hour wristbandsjordan wristband rubber
by Xinhua writers Dan Ran, Wang LiliSINGAPORE -- Military officials, diplomats and experts from across the Asia-Pacific gathered in Singapore over the weekend for the 17th Asia Security Summit, commonly known as the Shangri-La Dialogue, discussing security challenges and cooperation prospects in the region.This year's dialogue took place while the Asia-Pacific is witnessing a series of positive geopolitical changes, including a detente on the Korean Peninsula, improved ties between some major countries, and enhanced efforts to settle regional disputes.In maintaining regional peace and security, observers say, China has played a crucial role by upholding its concept of a comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security.URGE DIALOGUE ON KOREAN PENINSULAExperts praised China's strong support for the detente on the Korean Peninsula that paved the way for an upcoming direct meeting between the top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Jong Un and U.S. President Donald Trump.In its effort to achieve denuclearization and peace on the peninsula, China proposed a dual-track approach, which advocates dialogue and consultation towards a political solution and stresses the need for Pyongyang and Washington to meet each other halfway.Harsh rhetoric and confrontation have complicated the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, Lt. Gen. He Lei, vice president of the Academy of Military Science of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) and head of the Chinese delegation to the Shangri-la Dialogue, said in his speech on Saturday.What relevant parties are doing to ease tensions on the Peninsula is actually in line with China's proposals, Ruan Zongze, deputy head and senior fellow at the China Institute of International Studies (CIIS), commented ahead of the Shangri-la Dialogue, noting that China had long urged direct dialogue and consultation between Pyongyang and Washington.The recent remarks by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying reaffirmed China's support for efforts to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula while stressing the need to heed Pyongyang's security concerns in the process.When you can take into consideration each other's concerns, it becomes much easier to find a solution to the problem, Chen Gang, a senior research fellow with the East Asian Institute at the National University of Singapore, told Xinhua.?STRONGER TIES FOR REGIONAL STABILITYChina's security vision for the Asia-Pacific is simple: major countries that get along will boost peace, stability and economic development.Beijing has long pursued building partnerships across the region.In April, China and India pledged to open a new chapter in bilateral ties, with an informal summit held in central China between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The leaders of the world's two largest developing countries reached a consensus on issues of major concern.The great cooperation between our two great countries can influence the world, Xi said during the meeting, and Modi said the meeting was of historic significance.In his keynote speech at the Shangri-la Dialogue on Friday, Modi said strong and stable India-China relations are an important factor for global peace and progress.I firmly believe that Asia and the world will have a better future, when India and China work together in trust and confidence, sensitive to each other's interests, Modi said.The two neighbors refrained from a border tension last year. Both sides are willing to view bilateral ties from a strategic and long-term perspective, without being hindered by differences and disputes, and join hands to safeguard regional stability, Liu Lin, associate research fellow with the War Studies College of the PLA Academy of Military Science, told Xinhua on the sidelines of the Shangri-la Dialogue.In another move to promote friendly ties, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang visited Japan in May, the first by a Chinese premier to the country in eight years. The visit succeeded in consolidating political mutual trust and exploring new cooperation potential between the two neighbors.Being marked by Li's visit, bilateral ties are now back on the right track after the ups and downs of the past.Ruan of CIIS said that the development of China-Japan ties will contribute to a more integrated Asia at large.Chen praised China's recent diplomatic achievements, saying that Beijing's concept of security is in distinct contrast to the out-of-date views of security such as possessing a Cold War mentality and taking a zero-sum approach to conflict and provides a fresh vision for the region.MANAGING DISPUTESDuring discussions on the Shangri-la Dialogue, participants from some Western countries once again tried to create tensions in the South China Sea, issuing false statements about the so-called militarization of islands in the Sea by China.The situation of the South China Sea has been stabilized and changing for the better without any major conflict or dispute, thanks to the joint efforts of China and related countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), He told Xinhua on the sidelines of the Shangri-la Dialogue.In November, Chinese and ASEAN leaders agreed to start consultations on the text of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, setting a new starting point for building a peaceful and prosperous sea together.Efforts are also being made to address the East China Sea issue. During Premier Li's visit to Japan in May, the two sides signed several cooperation documents including a Memorandum of Understanding on setting up a maritime and air liaison mechanism.It is worth noting that during the visit, Beijing and Tokyo managed to set aside their differences on the East China Sea and instead focus on cooperation, said Richard Hu, head of the Department of Politics and Public Administration of the University of Hong Kong.The (maritime and air) liaison mechanism is very important for managing disputes on the East China Sea and preventing accidental clashes, he said.But for China, the ultimate solution for regional security challenges lies not only in dialogue, but more importantly in the common development of all nations.In this regard, China has put forward and promoted the Belt and Road Initiative to join hands with all participating countries -- including those in the Asia-Pacific -- to work towards connectivity, growth and prosperity.The Belt and Road Initiative is not only a path of development but also a path of peace, He said in a speech on Saturday.When a country is committed to economic development, it has no reason to get involved in conflicts, said Chen.In this sense, the Belt and Road Initiative serves as a stabilizer for the region, as it focuses on trade and economic cooperation and people-to-people exchanges, driving regional ties to develop in a positive direction, he said.
