Xi to Deliver Keynote at China-Arab States Cooperation Forum Ministerial Meeting
The 10th Ministerial Conference of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum will be held in Beijing on May 30, following consultations between China and Arab states. Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the opening ceremony and deliver a keynote speech. Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs, will co-chair the conference with the Arab side's chairman, Mauritanian Foreign Minister Mohamed Salem Ould Merzoug. Foreign ministers or representatives from Arab states and the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States will attend the conference.
Xi Replies to UAE Students in Chinese Language Program
Recently, President Xi Jinping replied to student representatives of the "100 Schools Project" for Chinese language teaching in the UAE, encouraging them to learn Chinese well, understand China, and contribute to China-Arab friendship. Xi Jinping stated, "I read each of your letters, and from the words and pictures, I felt everyone's love for Chinese culture and their hopes for friendship between our two countries. Five years ago, President Mohamed and I jointly launched the '100 Schools Project' for Chinese language teaching in the UAE. Today, I am very pleased to see that 'learning Chinese' has become a new trend in the UAE, cultivating a group of young envoys for China-Arab exchanges like yourselves." Xi Jinping pointed out, "You said in your letters that China and the UAE have 'held hands' for 40 years and hope that China and the UAE will always be good friends. The Chinese people share the same wish. Youth represents the future of China-Arab friendly relations. I welcome you to China to see pandas and climb the Great Wall, and to study at Chinese universities when you grow up. I also welcome more Emirati youth to learn Chinese, understand China, communicate and learn from Chinese youth, plant the seeds of friendship in your hearts, and contribute to a more beautiful future for China-Arab relations." In July 2019, witnessed by President Xi Jinping and then Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohamed, China and the UAE signed a memorandum in Beijing, officially launching the "100 Schools Project" for Chinese language teaching in the UAE. As of now, 171 schools in the UAE offer Chinese language courses, with 71,000 students learning Chinese. Recently, 40 primary and secondary school student representatives from Hamdan School and Yas School, model schools of the UAE's "100 Schools Project," wrote to President Xi in Chinese, expressing their yearning and love for Chinese culture and their determination to be envoys of China-Arab friendship.
Excerpts from Xi Jinping's Discourses on Strengthening Party Discipline Published
"Excerpts from Xi Jinping's Discourses on Comprehensively Strengthening the Party's Disciplinary Construction," compiled by the Institute of Party History and Literature of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, was recently published by the Central Literature Publishing House and distributed nationwide. Strengthening disciplinary construction is a fundamental measure for comprehensively strict Party self-governance. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has unswervingly exercised full and strict Party self-governance, incorporating disciplinary construction into the overall Party building layout, strengthening political discipline and organizational discipline, and promoting strict and thorough enforcement of all disciplines. It has adhered to the principle of discipline being stricter than law, integrated discipline enforcement with law enforcement, and deepened the application of the "four forms" policy strategies. The Party's disciplinary rules have been clearly established and strictly enforced, fundamentally reversing the lax and lenient situation in Party governance. Comrade Xi Jinping's series of important discourses on comprehensively strengthening the Party's disciplinary construction are high-minded, rich in content, and profound in thought. They are of great significance for comprehensively strengthening the Party's disciplinary construction, ensuring that strict requirements are implemented throughout the entire process of Party regulation formulation, Party discipline education, and disciplinary supervision, guiding Party members and cadres to learn, understand, grasp, and abide by discipline, truly transforming disciplinary rules into political, ideological, and behavioral自觉, ensuring that the entire Party is consistent in its goals, united, and in step. The "Excerpts" are divided into 10 topics, with a total of 329 passages, extracted from over 130 important documents, including reports, speeches, explanations, articles, and instructions by Comrade Xi Jinping, from November 2012 to April 2024. Some of these discourses are being published for the first time.
Further Comprehensive Reform to Inject Strong Impetus into Chinese Modernization – Xi's Important Speech at Symposium Sparks Enthusiastic Response
General Secretary Xi Jinping recently chaired a symposium for enterprises and experts in Jinan, Shandong Province, and delivered an important speech. He emphasized that further comprehensively deepening reform must focus on advancing Chinese modernization, highlight reform priorities, adhere to value orientations, and pay attention to methods and approaches, so as to add impetus to accomplishing central tasks and achieving strategic goals. The General Secretary's important speech sparked a warm response among the attending representatives. At the symposium, General Secretary Xi Jinping listened to the speeches of nine enterprise and expert representatives and engaged in in-depth exchanges with them, creating a lively atmosphere. Participants stated that the General Secretary's important speech provided thoughtful planning and deployment for promoting economic and social development and advancing Chinese modernization, further signaling the strong determination of the Party Central Committee to comprehensively deepen reform and opening up and vigorously promote high-quality development. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that reform is the driving force of development. Further comprehensively deepening reform must be anchored to the overall goal of improving and developing the socialist system with Chinese characteristics and modernizing the national governance system and governance capacity, closely focused on advancing Chinese modernization, combining goal-oriented and problem-oriented approaches, and addressing problems directly. Further comprehensively deepening reform must grasp the principal contradiction and the principal aspect of the contradiction. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized the need to adhere to and develop China's basic economic system, build a high-level socialist market economic system, improve the macroeconomic governance system and mechanisms for promoting high-quality development, and refine mechanisms that support comprehensive innovation and integrated urban-rural development, so as to further unleash and develop social productive forces and enhance social vitality, promoting better adaptation between production relations and productive forces, and between the superstructure and the economic base. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that the people's aspiration for a better life is our奋斗 goal. It is crucial to identify the leverage points and breakthroughs for reform from the urgent concerns of the populace, such as employment and income increase, and introduce more reform measures that address people's immediate needs and aspirations, so that reform can bring more benefits, happiness, and security to the people. Reform involves both destruction and construction; with the right approach, it yields twice the result with half the effort, but without it, it yields half the result with twice the effort, or even negative effects. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized that reform should place greater emphasis on systematic integration, adhering to an overall perspective and systemic thinking in planning and advancing it, strengthening coordination and synergy among various reform measures, and promoting concerted efforts and synergy in reforms across all fields and aspects.
People's Daily Commentator Article: Further Comprehensive Reform Must Focus on Advancing Chinese Modernization – On Studying and Implementing General Secretary Xi Jinping's Important Speech at the Symposium
Today (May 26), *People's Daily* published a commentator's article titled "Further Comprehensively Deepening Reform Must Focus on Advancing Chinese Modernization – On Studying and Implementing General Secretary Xi Jinping's Important Speech at the Symposium for Enterprises and Experts."
Li Qiang Arrives in Seoul for 9th China-Japan-ROK Trilateral Summit
Premier Li Qiang of the State Council departed Beijing on a chartered flight on the morning of May 26 to attend the Ninth China-Japan-Republic of Korea Trilateral Summit. State Councilor and Secretary-General of the State Council Wu Zhenglong and other accompanying personnel left on the same flight. Local time, noon on May 26, Li Qiang arrived at Seoul Seongnam Airport on a chartered flight. Senior officials of the Republic of Korea government and Chinese Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Xing Haiming greeted him at the airport.
Li Qiang Meets ROK President
On the afternoon of May 26, local time, Premier Li Qiang met with Republic of Korea President Yoon Suk-yeol in Seoul. Li Qiang stated that over 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, China and the ROK have adhered to mutual respect, openness and inclusiveness, and win-win cooperation, leading to rapid development of bilateral relations and fruitful economic and trade cooperation. He expressed hope that the ROK side would work with China to grasp the general direction of friendly mutual trust between the two countries, respect each other's core interests and major concerns, strengthen practical cooperation, resist the politicization of economic and trade issues, and promote the sound and steady development of China-ROK relations. Yoon Suk-yeol stated that the ROK adheres to the One-China principle and will, as always, firmly commit to developing ROK-China relations. He expressed willingness to strengthen dialogue and cooperation with China, expand common interests, and promote the further development of ROK-China relations. Both sides agreed to hold high-level strategic dialogues between their foreign ministries and vice-ministerial diplomatic and security "2+2" dialogues at appropriate times, initiate a 1.5-track dialogue and exchange mechanism between China and the ROK at an opportune time, accelerate the second phase of the China-ROK Free Trade Agreement negotiations, and further facilitate personnel exchanges between the two countries.
Li Qiang Meets Japanese Prime Minister
On the evening of May 26, local time, Premier Li Qiang met with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Seoul. Li Qiang stated that in November last year, President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Kishida held a meeting in San Francisco and reached important consensus, reaffirming the comprehensive advancement of the strategic and mutually beneficial relationship between the two countries, which provided important political guidance for the development of bilateral relations. He expressed hope that Japan would honor its commitments, properly handle issues such as history and Taiwan, and work with China to meet each other halfway to build a constructive and stable China-Japan relationship that meets the requirements of the new era. Regarding the discharge of Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water, which concerns the health of all humanity, Li Qiang hoped that Japan would earnestly fulfill its own responsibilities and obligations. Kishida Fumio stated that a constructive and stable Japan-China relationship is beneficial not only to the two countries but also to the world. Japan is willing to maintain and strengthen the good momentum of cooperation between the two countries with China and comprehensively promote the Japan-China strategic reciprocal relationship. Both sides agreed to strengthen dialogue and communication at all levels and hold a new round of high-level economic dialogue and senior-level cultural exchange consultation mechanisms between China and Japan at an appropriate time.
Li Qiang Meets Samsung Group Chairman
On the afternoon of May 26, local time, Premier Li Qiang met with Samsung Group Chairman Lee Jae-yong in Seoul. Li Qiang stated that economic and trade cooperation is the cornerstone of China-ROK relations. The industrial and supply chains of China and the ROK are deeply integrated, forming a community of shared interests where "you are in me, and I am in you." Samsung's cooperation with China is a vivid microcosm of win-win cooperation and development between China and the ROK. He expressed hope that enterprises from both countries would explore the potential for cooperation in emerging fields such as high-end manufacturing, digital economy, and artificial intelligence, promote the continuous upgrading of China-ROK economic and trade cooperation, and better achieve win-win results. China's vast market will always be open to foreign-funded enterprises, and Samsung and other ROK enterprises are welcome to continue expanding their investment and cooperation in China. Lee Jae-yong thanked the Chinese government for its strong support for Samsung's production and operation in China, stating that Samsung will adhere to its development in China, strive to be an enterprise loved by the Chinese people, and continue to contribute to mutually beneficial cooperation between the ROK and China. Wu Zhenglong attended the aforementioned activities.
Ding Xuexiang Attends 2024 National Science and Technology Week Opening in Beijing
Ding Xuexiang, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council, attended the main event of the 2024 National Science and Technology Week and Beijing Science Week in Beijing on May 26. He emphasized the need to thoroughly study and implement the important instructions of General Secretary Xi Jinping, vigorously promote the spirit of scientists, and foster a social environment that respects science and advocates innovation, so as to gather wisdom and strength for building a strong country in science and technology. At 10:00 AM, Ding Xuexiang visited the Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, where he toured the offices where Qian Xuesen and Guo Yonghuai once worked, the exhibition hall of the spirit of scientists, and the material mechanics performance testing laboratory, engaging in warm conversations with the researchers present. Ding Xuexiang pointed out that scientific achievements are inseparable from spiritual support, and the soul of the scientific spirit is patriotism. The older generation of scientists achieved brilliant successes under extremely difficult conditions, primarily due to their deep love for and dedication to the country. On the new journey of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, it is necessary to vigorously promote the spirit of scientists. He hoped that the vast number of researchers would inherit the torch of this spirit, courageously scale scientific peaks, and shoulder the mission and responsibility of achieving high-level scientific and technological self-reliance and self-improvement. At the Mechanics Popular Science Exhibition Hall, Ding Xuexiang learned about the construction of popular science education facilities and the开展 of science education practices, watched elementary school students' popular science experiment demonstrations, and interacted with them. Ding Xuexiang pointed out that popular science work should not only disseminate scientific knowledge but also tell scientific stories well, so that the spirit of scientists can deeply impress people and shine through the times. He encouraged elementary school students to establish the ambition of technological innovation and strengthening the nation from an early age, maintain their interest in exploration, master scientific knowledge, enhance scientific literacy, and give wings to their dreams through science and technology. Li Shulei, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, participated in the event.
Party Discipline Education: Localities Meticulously Organize, Solidly Advance Learning Campaign
In recent days, Guangdong, Ningxia, Heilongjiang, Tibet, and other regions have treated the Party discipline education campaign as an important political task, firmly grasping and effectively implementing it. Guangdong has formulated a provincial Party discipline education work plan, meticulously conducting warning education, comprehensively and systematically strengthening interpretation and elucidation, and organizing centralized training at various levels, all while focusing on studying the "Regulations." Ningxia has organized study sessions and training classes, encouraging Party members and cadres to study the original text, integrate knowledge, and apply it to their own situations. They have continuously deepened integrity warning education, ensuring that Party members and cadres are alerted, understand bottom lines, and know awe, thereby promoting the in-depth and effective implementation of Party discipline education. Party committees (Party groups) at all levels in Heilongjiang have fully leveraged their crucial role, strengthening guidance at each level, guiding Party members and cadres across the province to thoroughly learn and grasp the discipline, and promoting the comprehensive and consistent implementation of Party discipline education. Tibet has formulated an implementation plan for Party discipline education, adhering to a combination of self-study and collective study, ensuring genuine and effective learning that yields quality and results.
Yang Gensi Company: Upholding Heroic Vows, Forging Ahead on New Journey to Strengthen Military
During the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea, Company Commander Yang Gensi of the Chinese People's Volunteers famously declared the "Three Don't Believes": "We don't believe there is any task that cannot be accomplished, we don't believe there is any difficulty that cannot be overcome, and we don't believe there is any enemy that cannot be defeated." On November 29, 1950, on Xiaogaoling at Lake Changjin, Yang Gensi faced a powerful enemy and fulfilled this combat declaration with his life. The following year, the CPV Headquarters posthumously awarded Yang Gensi the honorary title of "Special-Class Hero" and named his company "Yang Gensi Company." Standing at a new historical starting point, the company adheres to building and educating its members with Xi Jinping's thinking on strengthening the military, allowing the "Three Don't Believes" hero declaration to continually radiate new light in the new era. Coming from the smoke of war, "Yang Gensi Company" has undergone over 300 battles, consistently overcoming obstacles, stemming from the company's bloodline of daring to fight tough battles and not fearing sacrifice. In 2016, "Yang Gensi Company" went to South Sudan to carry out peacekeeping missions. On July 10, local time, the company's 105 infantry fighting vehicle was attacked by a rocket while performing refugee camp guard duty, and peacekeepers Li Lei and Yang Shupeng heroically sacrificed their lives. Two hours later, the fighting escalated again. At a critical moment, "Yang Gensi Company" was ordered to send eight people to undertake the blocking mission on the first line of defense. The bloody courage of facing death stems from the tempered confidence in victory. From traditional infantry to armored infantry, from single-arms combat to integrated joint operations, the officers and soldiers of "Yang Gensi Company" have always regarded the "Three Don't Believes" hero declaration as the source of strength for the company to overcome difficulties, continuously promoting the transformation and upgrading of combat effectiveness. Last summer, when the company participated in a cross-domain exercise, facing an unfamiliar environment, they broke the previous linear offensive combat mode, with multiple combat groups launching立体 assaults, successfully completing their combat missions. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, "Yang Gensi Company" has adhered to building and educating its members with Xi Jinping's thinking on strengthening the military, brilliantly completing major tasks such as international military competitions, live-fire exercises, international peacekeeping, and disaster relief, and has been awarded the collective first-class merit twice, and commended by the Central Military Commission as a "model unit for practicing the goal of strengthening the military throughout the armed forces."
Shenzhou-18 Astronauts Complete First Month in Orbit, Space Science Experiments Steadily Progressing
Since their arrival at the China Space Station on April 26, Shenzhou-18 astronauts Ye Guangfu, Li Cong, and Li Guangsu have been in orbit for one month. Currently, all three astronauts are in good physical and mental condition, and various space science experiments and tests are progressing steadily. Inside the Wentian lab module, four zebrafish and hornwort are in good condition within a small, controlled life-support ecological experiment module. So far, the astronauts have successfully conducted two water sample collections and one fish food box replacement operation. Through the downlinked videos, researchers have observed abnormal directional behaviors in the zebrafish under microgravity, such as swimming upside down, rotational movements, and circling. Subsequently, scientists will use the returned water samples, fish eggs, and other samples, combined with the zebrafish space movement behavior videos, to study the effects of the space environment on vertebrate growth, development, and behavior. The Combustion Science Experiment Rack is one of the eight experiment racks carried by the Mengtian lab module. During their time in orbit, the astronaut crew completed the installation of the combustion solenoid valve adapter cable. By installing the adapter cable, the solenoid valve's switch can be remotely controlled, thereby precisely controlling the fuel flow during experiments. In addition, the three astronauts also performed operations on the combustion science experiment rack, such as replacing the combustor and vacuuming and exhausting waste gas. They also completed sample replacement and axial mechanism maintenance for the experimental chamber of the containerless materials experiment rack. Since the Shenzhou-18 crew entered the space station, multiple aerospace medical experiments have also continued. The astronauts used an ultrasonic diagnostic instrument to complete carotid artery ultrasound images and spectrum tests; they used an instrument to measure right heel bone mineral density to study the effect of weightlessness on human bone mineral density. Through regular, scientific space treadmill training, resistance training, and a series of other weightlessness protection exercise measures, they maintain good physical condition to support long-term mission execution.
Four Greater Bay Area Intercity Railways Now Operational
Four intercity railways in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area achieved interconnected operation today (May 26), accelerating the formation of a "1-hour living circle" in the Greater Bay Area. Today, the Guangfo-Nanhu and Foguan intercity railways officially began operation. These two newly opened intercity railways connect with the already operational Foshan-Zhaoqing and Dongguan-Huizhou intercity railways, forming an east-west transportation "artery" spanning 258 kilometers in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. This "artery" is the longest intercity railway in the Greater Bay Area, connecting Huizhou, Dongguan, Guangzhou, Foshan, and Zhaoqing, which is of great significance for accelerating the formation of a "1-hour living circle" in the Greater Bay Area. This transportation "artery" has 39 stations along its entire length, with a maximum operating speed of 200 kilometers per hour. It adopts a bus-like operation mode with "all-stop + major station express" services, and an average headway of 26 minutes. Passengers can purchase tickets through 12306 and use their ID cards to enter the station, or they can use various methods such as the national transportation all-in-one card and the Guangzhou Metro App's intercity ride code to enter the station, allowing for flexible travel.
Domestic News Briefs
2024 "Hundred Events, Thousand Enterprises" Integration and Matchmaking Activities Launched The 2024 "Hundred Events, Thousand Enterprises" integration and matchmaking activities for large, medium, and small enterprises were recently launched. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and other departments will organize a series of matchmaking events between central enterprises, large private enterprises, and small and medium-sized enterprises to promote the opening up of innovation resources and supply chain systems by central enterprises and large private enterprises. Patent commercialization matchmaking events will also be organized to accelerate the industrialization of existing patents. The activities will continue until the end of this year. All Restoration Projects Completed for Roads Damaged by "23·7" Extraordinary Heavy Rainstorm in Beijing Reporters learned from the Beijing Municipal Commission of Transport that all restoration projects for 82 county-level and above road sections damaged by the "23·7" extraordinary heavy rainstorm in Mentougou District and Fangshan District of Beijing have been completed, with a total restored mileage of 328.6 kilometers. The projects involved measures such as slope cutting, increasing protective nets, and installing flexible barriers along mountain roads to comprehensively enhance the resilience of mountain roads against geological disasters. China's First TIR Convention Certified Customs Clearance Hub Established in Xinjiang Reporters learned from Kashgar Customs that today (May 26), China's first TIR Convention certified customs clearance hub was inaugurated and established in Kashgar, Xinjiang. TIR, or the "International Road Transport Convention," allows for customs clearance using TIR Carnets, which can save over 30% in customs clearance time, reducing it by 0.5 to 6 days, and simultaneously lowering transportation costs by 15% for travel from Kashgar to Central Asia, Europe, and other countries. Hubei Xianning to Jiangxi Jiujiang Expressway (Hubei Section) Fully Connected The Hubei section of the Xianning-Jiujiang Expressway in Hubei was fully connected today (May 26), laying a solid foundation for the entire expressway to be completed and open to traffic by the end of the year. As a connecting line between the Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao Expressway and the Daguang Expressway, the Xianjiu Expressway will link the Wuhan city cluster with the Poyang Lake Ecological Economic Zone, which is of great significance for improving the expressway network between Hubei and Jiangxi provinces and enhancing transportation conditions in the old revolutionary base areas of Hubei and Jiangxi.
Israeli Military Claims Dismantling Hamas Infrastructure; Hamas Claims Capturing Israeli Soldiers
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) stated on May 25 that Israeli troops continued military operations in the Jabalia area in the northern Gaza Strip and Rafah in the south, dismantling a large amount of Palestinian armed group infrastructure. According to Palestinian media reports, Israeli airstrikes in various parts of the Gaza Strip on May 25 caused dozens of deaths. The Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), announced today (May 26) that its members carried out a strike operation in the northern Gaza Strip on May 25, killing, wounding, and capturing several Israeli soldiers in an underground tunnel. The Israeli military denied this claim. US-built Temporary Pier Experiences Groundings and Other Accidents The US Central Command stated on May 25 that four US military vessels supporting the temporary pier built by the US in the Gaza Strip were washed ashore on two different beaches due to rough seas, resulting in groundings and other accidents. According to US media reports, the US spent $320 million to build the pier, which became operational on May 17. Israeli media reported on May 25 that Israel would resume negotiations with Hamas next week. Hamas stated on the same day that it had not received any notice from mediators about resuming negotiations, and that Hamas had previously agreed to the mediators' proposal and did not need new negotiations.
Protests Mark Fourth Anniversary of Floyd's Death Across US, Clashes Erupt Between Police and Demonstrators
According to US media reports on May 25, some people in New York, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, and other places held protests on the fourth anniversary of the George Floyd case. Protesters condemned the serious problems of racial discrimination and police brutality in the United States. During the protest in New York, clashes broke out between police and protesters, and several people were arrested. On May 25, 2020, George Floyd, an African American man, died after a white police officer knelt on his neck, triggering large-scale protests across the United States. Floyd's family members recently stated in an interview with US media that there has been no improvement in the United States in eliminating racial discrimination and police brutality over the past four years.
International News Briefs
Russia claims to have intercepted Ukrainian missiles; Ukraine claims to have weakened Russian offensive. The Russian Ministry of Defense stated on May 25 that Russian forces struck Ukrainian electronic warfare stations and other targets. Russian air defense forces also intercepted multiple Ukrainian missiles, rockets, and numerous drones. The Ukrainian military stated on the same day that Ukrainian forces had taken all necessary measures to weaken the Russian offensive, struck Russian targets, and shot down a Russian fighter jet. Fire Breaks Out at Amusement Park in Western India, 35 Dead A fire broke out at an amusement park in Rajkot, Gujarat state, western India, on May 25. According to Indian media reports, the fire has killed at least 35 people, including 12 children. The reports indicate that preliminary investigations suggest the fire was likely caused by a short circuit. Additionally, the amusement park reportedly had over 3,000 liters of fuel stored on site. After the fire broke out, this fuel ignited, causing the amusement park to be engulfed in flames within minutes. Tornado Hits Texas, USA Valley View, Texas, was hit by a tornado on May 25, causing multiple trucks to overturn. A local interstate highway experienced congestion due to the severe weather. Local media reported that the tornado caused the roof of a truck stop to collapse, potentially trapping as many as 150 people. Rescue efforts are currently underway.