Forging Ahead: Accelerating Transport Power for China's Modernization
General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that every new transportation line carries the people's dream of happiness. In the 75 years since the founding of New China, several generations have built roads through mountains and bridges over water, and China's transportation industry has continued to develop. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the construction of a strong transportation nation has been accelerated, and China has built the world's largest comprehensive three-dimensional transportation network, created a number of world-leading model projects, and become the pioneer of Chinese modernization, with "people enjoying their travel and goods flowing smoothly" turning from vision to reality. The Fuxing smart train, with a speed of 350 kilometers per hour, whizzes past the foot of the Great Wall, rural roads wind through mountains and reach thousands of households, crossing rivers and seas, and flying in the blue sky. China's transportation infrastructure construction level has continuously achieved self-breakthroughs in repeated leaps. Looking back at the early days of New China, China's transportation infrastructure was very backward, with a total railway mileage of only 22,000 kilometers, 81,000 kilometers of roads, and only 7 civil aviation routes. Today, China's high-speed railway mileage exceeds 46,000 kilometers, the total railway mileage exceeds 160,000 kilometers, and the total rural road mileage reaches 4.6 million kilometers. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, General Secretary Xi Jinping has personally planned, deployed, and promoted the implementation of the strategy of building a strong transportation nation, giving transportation the strategic positioning of being the pioneer of Chinese modernization. General Secretary Xi Jinping has repeatedly made important instructions on the construction of "four good rural roads," emphasizing the continuous promotion of high-quality development of "four good rural roads." In September 2019, General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized at the inauguration ceremony of Beijing Daxing International Airport that more and more advanced aviation hubs and a more complete comprehensive transportation system should be built. In September 2023, President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to the Global Sustainable Transport Forum, pointing out that China is accelerating the construction of a strong transportation nation and will continue to adhere to connecting with the world and the times. Today's China has entered a new stage of "accelerating the construction of a strong transportation nation." The main channels of the "eight vertical and eight horizontal" high-speed rail network are continuously extended, and 96% of cities with urban populations exceeding 500,000 are connected to high-speed rail. The construction of "four good rural roads" has achieved tangible results, with over 1,000 townships and 105,000 administrative villages solving the problem of access to paved roads. Today's China has built the world's largest high-speed railway network, expressway network, world-class port clusters, and airport clusters, with a total comprehensive transportation network mileage exceeding 6 million kilometers, ranking among the top in the world. Today's China averages about 83,000 ship arrivals and departures per day, 15,000 civil aviation flights soaring in the blue sky, 35 million vehicles traveling on expressways, and 440 million parcels delivered to urban and rural areas. A "land, sea, air, and network" four-in-one transportation map constitutes a new pattern of territorial space in the new era. The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China clearly proposed to promote the digital transformation of traditional infrastructure. New technologies such as big data and artificial intelligence are building more intelligent nervous systems for traditional transportation infrastructure, continuously meeting the needs of modern transportation and logistics for cost reduction and efficiency improvement, and the diversified travel needs of the people. What was once a natural barrier is now a thoroughfare. In the new era and on the new journey, "people enjoying their travel and goods flowing smoothly," a mobile China is demonstrating the vitality of prosperous development, and a safe, convenient, green, and smart modern comprehensive three-dimensional transportation network is escorting high-quality economic and social development and the realization of Chinese modernization.
Li Qiang Stresses Steady Implementation of Phased Retirement Age Delay for China's Modernization; Ding Xuexiang Attends
On September 19, the State Council held a video conference to mobilize and deploy the implementation of the gradual postponement of the statutory retirement age. Li Qiang, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Premier of the State Council, emphasized at the meeting that it is necessary to thoroughly study and implement the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important instructions, steadily and orderly implement the reform of gradual postponement of the statutory retirement age, and provide important support for promoting Chinese modernization. Ding Xuexiang, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council, and State Councilor Wu Zhenglong attended the meeting. State Councilor Shen Yiqin presided over the meeting. Li Qiang pointed out that the implementation of the reform of gradual postponement of the statutory retirement age is a major decision made by the Party Central Committee from the overall perspective of the Party and the country's cause. All regions and departments should raise their political standing, unify their thoughts and actions with the decisions and deployments of the Party Central Committee, and solidly do a good job in implementing the reform. Li Qiang emphasized that it is necessary to strengthen systematic thinking and coordinate the preparation work before the reform implementation and the policy execution after the implementation. It is necessary to adhere to the "voluntary and flexible" principle in implementing the delayed retirement policy to ensure that the will of the employees is truly reflected. It is necessary to formulate and improve supporting policies and measures as soon as possible. Policies that need to be directly linked with the reform plan should be introduced and implemented as early as possible, and policies that need to be adjusted due to changes in the statutory retirement age should be formulated and implemented as soon as possible after full evaluation. It is necessary to effectively address the practical concerns of the people, take expanding employment as an important measure to support the reform, earnestly strengthen old-age security and services, and increase nearby and convenient childcare services. Li Qiang emphasized that all regions and departments should strengthen organizational leadership, strengthen coordination and linkage, grasp and implement the reform tasks, and ensure stable implementation and到位. Responsible comrades from the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, the Central Organization Department, the Central Propaganda Department, the Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission, and the National Health Commission, as well as the principal responsible comrades of the Beijing Municipal Government and the Shaanxi Provincial Government, delivered speeches at the meeting.
Zhao Leji Meets with ROK National Assembly's Korea-China Parliamentarians' Union Delegation
Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, met with Kim Tae-nyeon, President of the Korea-China Parliamentary Alliance of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea, in Beijing on September 19. Zhao Leji stated that the healthy and stable development of China-South Korea relations is in the common interests of both countries and conducive to regional peace, stability, development, and prosperity. Both sides should adhere to good-neighborliness and friendship, and promote the sound and steady development of China-South Korea relations in accordance with the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries. They should strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation and jointly safeguard the stability and smooth flow of industrial and supply chains. They should promote mutual understanding between the people and carry out more activities conducive to enhancing friendship between the two countries, laying a public opinion foundation for the long-term development of China-South Korea relations. The National People's Congress of China is willing to continue to conduct various forms of dialogue and exchanges with the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea to promote the development of relations between the two countries. Kim Tae-nyeon stated that the South Korean side attaches great importance to developing South Korea-China relations and congratulated the National People's Congress of China on its 70th anniversary. The Korea-China Parliamentary Alliance is willing to make positive contributions to promoting the development of South Korea-China relations, strengthening exchanges and cooperation between legislative bodies, and enhancing mutual understanding between the people.
Han Zheng Attends 2024 International Day of Peace Commemoration
On September 19, Vice President Han Zheng attended and addressed the opening ceremony of the 2024 International Day of Peace commemorative event in Jinan. Han Zheng pointed out that the world is currently undergoing accelerating changes unseen in a century, entering a new period of turbulence and transformation. Faced with unprecedented challenges for human society, President Xi Jinping has proposed the major concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind, and the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative, injecting confidence and impetus into promoting world peace, development, and common prosperity. Han Zheng emphasized that it is necessary to adhere to a shared future, conform to the correct direction of historical trends, and build strong synergy for building a community with a shared future for mankind. It is necessary to practice the Global Development Initiative, adhere to common development, and work together on the path of advancing the modernization of their respective countries. It is necessary to practice the Global Security Initiative, adhere to peaceful coexistence, and more effectively safeguard world peace and tranquility. It is necessary to practice the Global Civilization Initiative, adhere to exchanges and mutual learning, and inject deep and lasting cultural power into maintaining world peace and promoting harmony among nations. Han Zheng stated that Chinese modernization is a modernization that follows the path of peaceful development. China will vigorously advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world and inclusive economic globalization, firmly be a guardian of world peace and a promoter of global development, and work with all countries to promote peace and development and build a better world together. UN Secretary-General Guterres delivered a video address at the meeting. Sommad Pholsena, Vice President of the National Assembly of Laos and President of the Lao Committee for Peace and Solidarity, former South African President Kgalema Motlanthe, former Colombian President Ernesto Samper, and former Swiss President Ueli Maurer, among others, delivered speeches at the meeting. Participants highly praised President Xi Jinping's concept of a community with a shared future for mankind, stating that they will work with China to promote the implementation of the three global initiatives, jointly safeguard peace, and achieve better development.
Improving Consultative Democracy to Forge the Greatest Consensus for National Rejuvenation
The Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), a great creation in the political system, is an important force for realizing national prosperity, rejuvenation, and people's happiness. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the CPC Central Committee, with Comrade Xi Jinping as its core, has focused on developing whole-process people's democracy, leading the CPPCC to vigorously strengthen consultative democracy construction with reform thinking, innovative concepts, and pragmatic measures, integrating consultative democracy throughout political consultation, democratic supervision, and participation in the deliberation and administration of state affairs, transforming the institutional advantages of the CPPCC into national governance effectiveness. Consultative democracy is an important form of practicing whole-process people's democracy. In the new era, the CPPCC adheres to the organic combination of Party leadership, united front, and consultative democracy, further giving play to the role of the CPPCC as a specialized consultative body, and continuously enriching the content of consultative democracy. The scope of consultation has expanded from primarily focusing on economic and social fields to covering all aspects of the "Five-in-One" overall layout and the "Four Comprehensives" strategic layout, fully assisting scientific and democratic decision-making. From the establishment of bi-weekly consultative forums to the exploration of remote consultation meetings, from the standardization of sector-specific consultative meetings to the establishment of expert consultative meetings, the forms of consultative deliberation have become more diverse, continuously improving the quality and level of in-depth consultation. The CPC Central Committee has formulated and issued a series of institutional documents such as the "Opinions on Strengthening the Construction of Consultative Democracy of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference" and the "Opinions on Strengthening and Improving the Work of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference in the New Era," and the "four pillars and eight beams" of the socialist consultative democracy system are becoming increasingly sound. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the National Committee of the CPPCC has closely focused on the central tasks of the Party and the country, adhered to serving the comprehensive deepening of reform as the focus of its duties, carried out over 950 specialized research and inspection tours by members on important issues of comprehensive deepening of reform, and held over 230 various consultative and deliberative meetings, contributing wisdom and strength to the comprehensive building of a moderately prosperous society, the formulation and implementation of the "14th Five-Year Plan," and the construction of a beautiful China. It has continuously focused on democratic supervision of black soil issues and ecological environmental protection of the Yangtze River, providing important references for the scientific decision-making of the CPC Central Committee. The 14th National Committee of the CPPCC has formulated implementation opinions on strengthening and improving democratic supervision, giving play to the advantages of consultative supervision, and continuously carrying out special democratic supervision around 10 key issues in the implementation of the "14th Five-Year Plan." It has improved the working mechanism for the coordinated cooperation and seamless integration of the CPPCC's democratic supervision with other forms of supervision. Practicing the concept of the CPPCC serving the people, from strengthening the construction of high-standard farmland to guarding against large-scale return to poverty, from the expansion and balanced regional distribution of high-quality medical resources to the coordinated development of the aging cause and industry, the "urgent, difficult, and eagerly anticipated" concerns of the broad masses of the people are also the focus of the CPPCC's research and deliberation.
Studying and Implementing the Spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee: Diverse Approaches Promote Deep Understanding
Inner Mongolia, Shanghai, Zhejiang, Shaanxi, and other regions have carried out various forms of publicity activities to study and implement the spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, promoting the in-depth and practical implementation of the plenary session's spirit. In Inner Mongolia, more than 20,000 lecturers composed of Party and government officials, university teachers, and Ulan Muqir team members formed over 1,600 lecture teams, going deep into schools, communities, pastoral areas, and other places, interpreting the spirit of the plenary session in plain language. Shanghai has focused on coordinating online and offline lectures, and in light of the characteristics of dense commercial buildings and numerous white-collar youth, it has carried out specialized lectures for new economic organizations and new social organizations to expand the coverage, dissemination, and influence of the lectures. Zhejiang has carried out巡回 lectures in schools, communities, enterprises, villages, and other places around topics such as new quality productive forces and legal reform, and has increased interaction through the production of a series of new media theoretical products and the launch of "open mics" to ensure that the spirit of the plenary session is deeply ingrained in people's minds. Shaanxi has given full play to the role of various lecture teams, including experts, industries, youth, and the public, to carry out differentiated and targeted lectures. It has deeply interpreted the spirit of the plenary session, focusing on scientific and technological innovation, cultural relic protection, and rural revitalization.
2024 Beijing Culture Forum Opens
The 2024 Beijing Culture Forum opened in Beijing on September 19. Chinese and foreign guests stated that cultural heritage should be strengthened, adhering to the cherishing of their national historical and cultural traditions, so that civilizational genes and symbols are integrated into modern life and daily spaces. Cultural prosperity should be promoted, adhering to artistic laws, giving play to the creative individuality of writers and artists, stimulating people's vitality for cultural innovation and creation in the vast space of the internet, and launching more excellent works. Mutual learning among civilizations should be deepened, and the Global Civilization Initiative should be practiced. The 2024 Beijing Culture Forum, with the theme of "Deepening Cultural Exchange and Achieving Common Progress," is co-hosted by the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee and the Beijing Municipal Committee of the CPC and the Beijing Municipal People's Government.
Promoting High-Quality Development: China's Arable Land Increases by 17.58 Million Mu in Three Years
The State Council Information Office held a press conference on the "Promoting High-Quality Development" series of themed press conferences this morning (September 19). Responsible persons from the Ministry of Natural Resources introduced the relevant situation of high-quality development in the field of natural resources. In recent years, through reforms such as improving the balance system of cultivated land occupation and replenishment, and promoting the implementation of cultivated land protection and food security responsibility assessment, the total national cultivated land has increased by 17.58 million mu since 2021, achieving a net increase for three consecutive years, curbing the trend of continuous decrease in cultivated land for many years. Especially in 2023, the southern provinces saw a net increase of 7.39 million mu, reversing the situation of "south reduction and north increase" in cultivated land. Since the beginning of this year, the demarcation and establishment of national parks have been comprehensively promoted. In the three years since the establishment of national parks, the numbers of flagship species such as giant pandas, Siberian tigers and leopards, and Tibetan antelopes have continued to grow, and the quality of ecosystems has steadily improved. At the same time, since last year, China has focused on the seven major strong wind erosion areas, 34 wind-sand outlets, and three main dust storm paths in the "Three Norths" region, coordinating the integrated protection and systematic governance of mountains, rivers, forests, fields, lakes, grasslands, and sand. The "Three Norths" project has completed comprehensive governance tasks exceeding 40 million mu. In addition, the construction of a strong maritime nation is also vigorously promoted. In the first half of this year, the total output value of the marine economy reached 4.9 trillion, a year-on-year increase of 5.6%.
China Successfully Launches Two BeiDou Navigation Satellites
At 9:14 AM today (September 19), China successfully launched the 59th and 60th BeiDou navigation satellites into orbit from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center using a Long March-3B carrier rocket and a Yuanzheng-1 upper stage. After subsequent in-orbit testing, they will be connected to the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System. This launch involved a relay transportation by the Long March-3B carrier rocket and the Yuanzheng-1 upper stage, which is also known as a "space shuttle" and can perform orbital maneuvers, multi-satellite separation, and deployment. Approximately 4 hours later, the upper stage delivered the two satellites into their predetermined orbits, and the solar panels deployed normally, marking a complete success for the launch. The 59th and 60th BeiDou navigation satellites are medium Earth orbit satellites, which have upgraded on-board atomic clock configurations and are equipped with new inter-satellite link terminals. After being networked, they will further enhance the reliability of the BeiDou-3 global satellite navigation system and the performance of services such as positioning, navigation, timing, and global short message communication.
CPC Central Committee's Publicity Department Posthumously Confers "Role Model of the Times" Title on Yang Shi'e
The Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee recently posthumously awarded Yang Shiguo the title of "Role Model of the Times." Yang Shiguo, who passed away, was an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and a professor at Harbin Engineering University. He was one of the founders of China's underwater acoustic engineering discipline and a pioneer in the field of underwater acoustic science and technology. He upheld his original aspiration and mission, devoted himself to underwater acoustic scientific research, overcame a series of key core technologies, and promoted major innovative breakthroughs. He dedicated himself to scholarship and selfless contribution, cultivating a group of scientific and technological talents. This evening (September 19), the "Role Model of the Times Release Hall" program on CCTV General Channel will tell his advanced deeds.
Domestic News Briefs
"Hai Kui One" and "Hai Ji Two," two major national strategic assets, simultaneously started production today (September 19). The reporter learned from China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) that "Hai Kui One," Asia's first cylindrical offshore oil and gas processing plant, located in the Shenzhen waters, and "Hai Ji Two," Asia's deepest deepwater jacket platform, both started production simultaneously, which will extend the life of the Liuhua oilfield by 30 years. This innovative application of deep-sea oil and gas development mode is the first of its kind in the international deepwater oil and gas development field, marking that China's design, construction, and installation capabilities for deepwater oil and gas equipment have reached a world-class level. C919 Large Passenger Aircraft Makes First Flight to Lhasa Today (September 19), a C919 aircraft from Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) took off from Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport in Sichuan and landed smoothly at Lhasa Gonggar International Airport in Tibet after a flight of 2 hours and 8 minutes. This is the first time a C919 aircraft has flown to Lhasa. This test flight to Tibet will lay the foundation for the C919 aircraft to meet the operational requirements of high-altitude routes and for high-altitude variant development in the future. Shanghai-Suzhou-Huzhou High-Speed Railway Begins Joint Debugging and Testing The Shanghai-Suzhou-Huzhou High-Speed Railway, connecting Shanghai, Suzhou in Jiangsu, and Huzhou in Zhejiang, began its joint debugging and testing phase today (September 19). The Shanghai-Suzhou-Huzhou High-Speed Railway has a total length of approximately 163 kilometers and a designed speed of 350 kilometers per hour. After its completion and operation, it will effectively relieve the transportation pressure on the Shanghai-Nanjing and Shanghai-Hangzhou railway lines and further promote the high-quality integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta. Typhoon "Pulasan" Makes Landfall, Various Regions Fully Respond The center of this year's Typhoon No. 14 "Pulasan" made landfall on the coast of Daishan County, Zhoushan City, Zhejiang Province, around 6:50 PM today (September 19), with a maximum wind force of 10 at its center near landfall. To cope with the typhoon, all coastal passenger routes in Zhejiang have been suspended, and all production operations in the core port area of Ningbo Zhoushan Port have been stopped. This afternoon, Shanghai raised its city-wide flood control and typhoon response to Level III. The Central Meteorological Observatory predicts that there will be heavy to torrential rain in coastal and central and northern Zhejiang today and tomorrow. 2024 National Day Culture and Tourism Consumption Month Launched in Shaanxi The 2024 National Day Culture and Tourism Consumption Month, organized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, was launched today (September 19) in Shaanxi. During the consumption month, various regions will organize over 3,600 cultural and tourism consumption activities in about 24,000 sessions, focusing on magnificent mountains and rivers, historical culture, and red tourism, to stimulate the potential of cultural and tourism consumption. Classic Dramas of the Master Scientists Promotion Project Staged at the National Centre for the Performing Arts Tsinghua University's original drama "Malanhua Kai," featuring Deng Jiaxian, the "Father of China's Nuclear Weapons," was staged at the National Centre for the Performing Arts last night (September 18). The China Association for Science and Technology, in conjunction with multiple departments, supported 19 universities in creating and performing 20 stage plays with scientist themes, which have accumulated over 430 performances, attracting more than 500,000 young people to the theater. CMG Releases Audiovisual Products of "From Beijing to Paris" Series China Media Group (CMG) today (September 19) released audiovisual products of the "From Beijing to Paris" series of excellent programs. These include a batch of high-quality works that look back at the Olympic journey, focus on cultural exchanges, and concentrate on mutual learning among civilizations, such as "Praise for You," "The Road to Paris," and "From Beijing to Paris - A Grand Exhibition of Chinese Art."
Explosions Hit Communications Equipment Across Lebanon, Killing 20 and Injuring Over 450
Following the pager explosions in several parts of Lebanon on September 17, at least 20 people were killed and more than 450 injured in walkie-talkie and other communication device explosions that occurred in multiple locations across Lebanon on the afternoon of September 18, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health. In an explosion in the southern suburbs of Beirut on September 18, local residents were attending a funeral for victims of the September 17 explosion. The explosions of walkie-talkies and other communication devices also caused fires in homes, cars, and shops. According to media reports, sources said that the walkie-talkies that exploded were purchased at the same time as the pagers that exploded on September 17. Hezbollah says aggression will be punished, Israeli Defense Minister says war focus shifts to northern Israel. Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib warned on the same day that the communication device attacks would trigger wider conflicts in the Middle East. The head of Hezbollah's executive council said on September 18 that such acts of aggression would certainly be punished, and the organization would face a new confrontation with Israel. As of now, the Israeli official side has not responded to these two consecutive rounds of explosions. Israeli Defense Minister Gallant said on September 18 that Israel's war focus is shifting to the north. According to Israeli media reports, an Israeli army unit that had previously been fighting in the Gaza Strip has been deployed to the northern Israeli region bordering Lebanon. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said on September 18 that he would bring northern Israeli residents home safely. UN Secretary-General calls for not weaponizing civilian equipment UN Secretary-General Guterres issued a statement on September 18, expressing shock at the large-scale communication device explosions in Lebanon that caused significant casualties. He urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint and avoid further escalation. Guterres said in an interview with a CCTV reporter on September 18 that he opposed the weaponization of civilian items. At the request of Arab countries, the UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on the Lebanon explosions on September 20 local time.
UN General Assembly Adopts Resolution Demanding Israel End Illegal Occupation of Palestinian Territories Within 12 Months
The tenth emergency special session of the United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly adopted a resolution on September 18, demanding that Israel end its illegal occupation of Palestinian territory within the next 12 months and promptly fulfill all its legal obligations under international law. The resolution calls on Israel to withdraw all military forces from the occupied Palestinian territory; end its illegal policies and actions, including immediately ceasing all new settlement activities, withdrawing all settlers from the occupied Palestinian territory, returning Palestinian land and other immovable property, and allowing all displaced Palestinians to return to their original places of residence during the occupation. The vote result was 124 in favor, 14 against, and 43 abstentions, with Israel and the United States among those opposing, and China casting a "yes" vote. Riyad Mansour, the Permanent Observer of Palestine to the United Nations, stated that the adoption of the resolution is a turning point in the Palestinian struggle for freedom and justice. The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation also welcomed the adoption of the resolution. Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, stated that the adoption of this resolution is of great significance against the backdrop of the severe situation in the Middle East, and the EU once again calls for a lasting and sustainable peace in the Gaza Strip.
Federal Reserve Announces 50 Basis Point Interest Rate Cut
The U.S. Federal Reserve announced on September 18 that it would cut the target range for the federal funds rate by 50 basis points, bringing it to between 4.75% and 5.00%. This is the first rate cut by the Federal Reserve since March 2020, and it marks a shift from a monetary policy tightening cycle to an easing cycle. Due to inflation falling slower than expected, the Federal Reserve has kept the federal funds rate target range at 5.25% to 5.5% since late July last year, the highest level in 23 years.
Russia Claims Destruction of US-Made Weapons; Ukraine Claims Destruction of Russian Ammunition Depot
On September 18, the Russian Ministry of Defense stated that Russian forces destroyed US-made weapons and equipment of the Ukrainian army, including armored personnel carriers, howitzers, and counter-battery radars. The Russian side also stated that it thwarted attempts by the Ukrainian army to reinforce positions in Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia. In Russia's Kursk region, Russian forces destroyed a Ukrainian field ammunition depot. On September 18, Ukraine stated that reinforcements of weapons and personnel in the directions of Pokrovsk and Kurakhove were being intensified. The Ukrainian navy also stated that it destroyed a Russian ammunition depot in Mariupol. In response to NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg's statement supporting relevant countries allowing Ukraine to use Western long-range missiles to strike Russian territory, Russian presidential press secretary Peskov stated on September 18 that the NATO leader's remarks were short-sighted and unprofessional, and their position was extremely provocative and dangerous.
Portugal Wildfires Spread, Killing 7
Wildfires have been raging in Portugal recently, causing 7 deaths and dozens of injuries. Since last weekend, the wildfires have spread from northern Portugal to multiple surrounding areas. Data shows that the scorched area has reached 1,060 square kilometers. The Portuguese government stated that more than 5,000 firefighters have been deployed to extinguish the fires.