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Speaking to the media after the meeting, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Yusuf Murangwa, explained the government’s decision to adjust taxes. He emphasized that taxes play a crucial role in national development.

'For a country to develop, we need financial ability, and that comes from taxes. These are fair and realistic taxes that people can afford,' he said.

He clarified that the tax changes will not all take effect immediately but will be implemented over a period of four years until 2029. The main goal, he said, is to reduce dependence on foreign aid while strengthening the country’s economy.

The new tax reforms fall into three categories. The first involves existing taxes where certain exemptions are being removed. For example, VAT exemptions on electronic devices like phones and computers were introduced to encourage digital adoption. Since nearly 80% of Rwandans now own phones, the exemption is being lifted.

The second category includes tax increases on certain products like cigarettes and alcohol. The third category introduces a digital services tax on platforms like Netflix and Amazon, which Rwandans access from abroad.

The government believes these changes will boost revenue while ensuring fairness in taxation. 'Not all these taxes will be felt at once, but they will help us build a stronger and more self-reliant economy,' Murangwa added.

With these measures, Rwanda is taking firm steps toward financial independence, ensuring sustainable growth without over-reliance on external funding.

Jacqueline Mutesi, a bar owner in Gitega Sector, Nyarugenge district expressed uncertainty on how the new tax plan rolls out in the coming days during its implementation.

“We are not sure if our client will stop coming through if the price of the beers increases. We will just wait to see what happens,” she said.

Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Yusuf Murangwa, explained the government’s decision to adjust taxes.

Meanwhile, pressing security concerns, particularly the recent fighting in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and its effects on Rwanda were also discussed and the government expressed condolences to the families of the 16 civilians from Rubavu District who lost their lives when shells landed on Rwandan territory.

Additionally, the Cabinet reviewed the government’s efforts in assisting those who fled the conflict, including facilitating the transit of United Nations (UN) staff members from Goma.

The meeting also considered the outcomes of the February 8, 2025, gathering of Heads of State from the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), which reaffirmed a political resolution as the preferred approach to addressing the instability in eastern DRC.

The performance of the 2025A agricultural season was also reviewed confirming strong yields driven by increased farmer participation and strategic government interventions. It was noted that the use of climate-resilient crops, improved harvesting methods and better storage facilities significantly boosted productivity.

Finally, the Cabinet approved two major policies aimed at driving national development. The Energy Policy and the National Urban Planning Policy.

Government has introduced tax increases on certain products such as alcohol.

Sam K Nkurunziza

Iohannis, a pro-EU centrist, had initially planned to remain in office until his successor was elected. However, his position was fiercely criticized by far-right politicians and their supporters, who gained significant ground in the first round of December’s election. That vote was later annulled by Romania’s top court due to allegations of Russian state interference.

The cancellation triggered widespread unrest, with tens of thousands of Romanians taking to the streets last month to protest what they saw as an attack on democracy.

Opposition lawmakers, capitalizing on the growing dissatisfaction, renewed their push to suspend Iohannis, putting forward a motion in parliament that could have led to his impeachment.

Faced with the prospect of a divisive political battle, Iohannis announced on Monday that he would step down voluntarily, arguing that his resignation would spare the country from further turmoil.

“In order to spare Romania and its citizens from crisis, I resign from the office of president,” he said in a press conference at Cotroceni Palace. “I will leave office the day after tomorrow, on February 12.”

His departure leaves Senate Speaker Ilie Bolojan, leader of the ruling coalition’s Liberal Party, as interim president with limited powers until the election.

Meanwhile, the political landscape remains highly polarized, with the far-right gaining influence. NATO-critic Calin Georgescu, a little-known figure before last year’s vote, has emerged as a key contender.

The European Union and NATO member state, which shares a border with Ukraine, has been thrown into institutional uncertainty since Georgescu’s unexpected success in the December election.

With mainstream pro-European parties divided and the far-right gaining traction, analysts believe some centrist lawmakers may have been willing to back the impeachment effort, further fueling Romania’s political crisis.

Crin Antonescu, the candidate backed by the ruling coalition, said Iohannis’ resignation was the “preferable outcome” compared to impeachment, which he argued would have only distracted from key national issues.

With the election re-run just months away, Romania now faces an uncertain political future, with its democratic institutions under scrutiny and growing concerns about external influence in its electoral process.

Romanian President Klaus Iohannis’ decision to step down follows mounting political pressure, mass protests, and an imminent parliamentary vote on his suspension.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

The Israeli delegation for the talks in Qatar over the Gaza ceasefire returned to Israel on Monday morning, according to the statement.

The delegation traveled to Doha on Sunday for indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas concerning the second phase of the fragile ceasefire, following Netanyahu’s visit to Washington last week.

However, according to Netanyahu’s office, the delegation focused only on technical matters, not major issues that have yet to be agreed upon, including the administration of Gaza after the war.

Under the ceasefire, which took effect on Jan. 19 after 15 months of devastating war, 21 hostages — 16 Israelis and five Thais — were released from Gaza in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian detainees freed from Israeli jails. More than 70 hostages are still in Gaza.

Under the first phase of the agreement, which spans six weeks, a total of 33 hostages and about 2,000 detainees are expected to be released.

Gaza faced major destruction following the war that lasted more than a year before the recently announced ceasefire brokered by the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt.

Xinhua

Speaking at the South African National Assembly on Monday during a debate on the deaths of 14 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers in eastern DRC, Malema condemned the government’s decision to send troops under the Southern African Development Community Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC).

Malema argued that the mission was not a peacekeeping effort but a direct combat operation against the “well-equipped” and strategic M23 rebels. He accused the government of deploying soldiers without essential military assets, such as drones and fighter jets, leaving them vulnerable.

“Our government has deliberately misled the people. The reality is that our soldiers are fighting an enemy with superior weaponry, resources, and intelligence,” he remarked.

Malema also blamed the recent casualties on SANDF’s failures in intelligence and coordination, particularly during the M23 offensive on Goma.

According to him, intelligence lapses left South African forces unprepared, while poor coordination with regional allies and the Congolese military led to a weak and fragmented response.

The lack of clear directives from leadership, he added, resulted in disorganized retreats and unnecessary casualties, which also led to the deaths of two soldiers from Tanzania and two from Malawi under SAMIDRC.

The EFF leader further attributed SANDF’s declining capability to years of government neglect and corruption. He noted that budget cuts have crippled the military, grounding aircraft and helicopters due to lack of maintenance.

Despite the deployment costing the government R2.3 billion since it began, he argued that mismanagement and corruption have severely weakened the army’s effectiveness.

“Officials have looted and mismanaged funds, sending South Africa’s defence technology to foreign entities. This is nothing short of crazy,” he said.

Additionally, Malema criticized the Department of Defence for wasting over R250 million outsourcing IT services while ignoring internal capabilities, calling it blatant theft of state resources at the expense of soldiers.

Some of the fallen soldiers were killed in the battle for Goma City, while others died in clashes in Sake involving M23, the Congolese military, and allied coalition forces.

The United Nations peacekeeping mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) transported their remains to Uganda through the main Rwanda-DRC border crossing, La Corniche, around noon on Friday, following days of delays.

Upon arrival in Kampala, the decomposing bodies were scheduled for preparation before being flown to South Africa via Entebbe International Airport. However, as of Monday afternoon, they were yet to be repatriated, with final arrangements expected this week.

Malema expressed outrage over the delays, calling the situation “unacceptable.”

“We must be clear. The deployment of our soldiers in the DRC is not about achieving peace. It’s about sacrificing our soldiers for a war with no end in sight. This government continues to send them to die in a foreign land, and when they do, their bodies are not even repatriated with the dignity they deserve,” he lamented, adding that the delays had subjected the families of the fallen soldiers to severe anguish.

M23 accuses the Congolese government of decades-long persecution and marginalization of Congolese Rwandophones.

Malema called for the immediate withdrawal of South African troops, arguing that no more lives should be lost in a “senseless conflict.”

He urged the government to bring the troops home, echoing calls for a ceasefire made during discussions at the recent joint Southern African Development Community (SADC) and East African Community (EAC) summit in Tanzania.

During the EAC-SADC summit on Saturday, regional Heads of State called for a political solution rather than a military one. The Congolese government has been urged to prioritize meaningful and honest dialogue with M23 and other rebel forces in the country to silence guns in the eastern region.

Julius Malema, the fiery leader of South Africa’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), has criticized the deployment of South African troops in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), saying they can’t win the fight against the M23 rebels.

Wycliffe Nyamasege

The film will be shown in the Forum section of the festival, which is scheduled to run from February 13 to 23, 2025.

Sharangabo told IGIHE that he and a team of about 10 who worked on the film will arrive in Germany on February 12, 2025, a day before the screening.

He expressed his pride in having his film showcased at Berlinale, marking its official premiere and giving film enthusiasts the opportunity to watch it in theatres afterwards.

'I am very happy, and what I can tell people is that this will be the film’s first public screening. After this, it will start being shown in different places. It’s a significant step for Rwandan cinema and a result of the daily efforts and struggles we go through. I’m grateful and appreciate everyone who contributed to making this project successful,' he said.

Minimals in a Titanic World is Sharangabo’s first feature film, centred around Anita, a dancer aspiring to turn her passion into a professional career.

After being imprisoned due to misconduct, Anita returns to a life of performing music and dancing in a nightclub. However, she receives heartbreaking news about the death of her lover, Serge.

As her friends support her through grief, Anita meets Shema, Serge’s close friend, and the two form a bond that helps her find solace and refocus on building her life as a songwriter.

Set in contemporary Kigali, the film explores themes of ambition, love, loss, and the struggle of young people trying to achieve their dreams while navigating life’s uncertainties.

The film features actors Aline Amike, Niyigena 'Rwasibo Joe' Jean Pierre, Ganza Moise, Nasser Makala, and Alice Amike.

Key contributors to the film include Samuel Ishimwe Karemangingo and Nasser Naizi, who handled cinematography, while Kivu Ruhorahoza was responsible for editing. The film’s music was composed by Amin Goudarzi, with Amadou Massaer Ndiaye overseeing sound design. Carine Umunyana led the production design, shaping the film’s visual aesthetic. The production team was led by Sharangabo, alongside Samuel Ishimwe Karemangingo, Remy Ryumugabe, Didacienne Nibagwire, Alexander Wadouh, Roxana Richters, and Augustine Moukodi.

The film was co-produced by Imitana Productions and Iyugi Productions, both based in Kigali, along with Chromosom Film in Berlin and Zili Studios in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

Sharangabo, the film’s creator, is also the organizer of the Kigali CineJunction Festival, which has been held twice in Rwanda since its launch in 2023.

The Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale), established in 1951 and held in February since 1978, is widely considered one of the world’s most prestigious film festivals, alongside Cannes and Venice.

In addition to Berlinale, Minimals in a Titanic World is also competing in the feature film category at the Festival Panafricain du cinéma et de la télévision de Ouagadougou (FESPACO), which will take place in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, from February 22 to March 1, 2025, for its 29th edition.

FESPACO is the most prestigious film festival in Africa and has been hosted in Ouagadougou every two years since 1972.

Minimals in a Titanic World is set to screen at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) in Germany.

Minimals in a Titanic World is one of the most anticipated films at Berlinale this year.

Minimals in a Titanic World is Sharangabo’s first feature film, centred around Anita, a dancer aspiring to turn her passion into a professional career.

Sharangabo, the film’s creator, is also the organizer of the Kigali CineJunction Festival, which has been held twice in Rwanda since its launch in 2023.

IGIHE

For some time now, messages encouraging girls to embrace vocational training have been widely shared through the media and other public spaces. These efforts are paying off, as more girls are now joining TVET schools.

RTB’s Director General, Eng. Paul Umukunzi, noted that while the number of girls in TVET schools is still lower than that of boys, the gap is much smaller compared to previous years.

“Girls now make up 43% of students in technical, vocational, and training schools. The challenge is that they tend to concentrate in certain programs while avoiding others,” he said. In 2023, only 15% of TVET students were girls.

Umukunzi explained that the government has introduced initiatives to encourage girls to enroll in fields they traditionally avoided due to cultural perceptions.

“For example, in construction and manufacturing, the number of girls remains low. We have introduced programs to show them that they are just as capable as their male counterparts.”

Among these initiatives is a scholarship program designed to increase female participation in underrepresented fields, with RTB planning to award scholarships to 4,000 girls.

Additionally, the government is improving infrastructure in TVET schools to make them more accommodating for female students.

“The equipment we purchase today is modern and does not require excessive physical strength. Even though strength differences are often exaggerated, technological advancements now ensure that no job is exclusive to men,” he added.

Established by the Rwandan government in 2020, RTB is tasked with enhancing the quality of technical and vocational education to support economic development and improve the well-being of citizens.

There is a significant increase in the number of girls enrolling for TVET courses.

In construction and manufacturing, the number of girls remains low.

IGIHE

His appeal aligns with the resolutions from the recent extraordinary summit of the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC), which called for a ceasefire and negotiations between the conflicting parties in eastern DRC.

The international community has repeatedly encouraged the DRC government to negotiate with M23 in search of a lasting security solution.

However, the government has consistently rejected this approach, opting instead for military intervention.

Despite continued offensives by the DRC army coalition, M23 has expanded its control over more territories. This was evident on January 23, when the group took over Sake, and again on January 27, when it captured Goma.

Cardinal Ambongo criticized the government’s refusal to hold talks with M23, arguing that relying solely on military solutions has proven ineffective and has only worsened conditions for civilians.

He stressed that dialogue is essential in resolving long-standing conflicts and warned against wasting more time while the country remains in crisis.

Speaking during a Mass in Kinshasa on January 9, he underscored the urgency of negotiations, asserting that addressing decades-old challenges requires engagement with all stakeholders, including perceived enemies.

He emphasized that every moment is crucial for the nation’s stability and urged authorities to take swift action to prevent further deterioration of the situation.

Cardinal Ambongo also suggested that if necessary, the DRC government should be willing to travel to Goma, currently under M23 control, to meet with the group’s representatives. He maintained that achieving lasting peace should take precedence over political or logistical concerns.

Cardinal Ambongo further insisted that negotiations should involve all parties, regardless of where they are, as excluding key stakeholders would hinder efforts to reach a sustainable resolution.

While the DRC government welcomed the resolutions from the EAC and SADC summit, it has not indicated any willingness to change its position and engage in direct talks with M23 as recommended.

Cardinal Ambongo has called on DRC to open dialogue with M23.

IGIHE

Whether you follow tech news or not, you’ve probably heard of DeepSeek. This Chinese startup, barely two years old, has made a stunning breakthrough in the AI industry with its latest reasoning model, DeepSeek R1.

Despite having only a fraction of the training costs of its Western counterparts, R1’s reasoning capabilities rival OpenAI’s o1.

But what truly sets DeepSeek apart is its commitment to open-source—allowing anyone to freely use, download, and even deploy their own AI models locally. This move has sent shockwaves across the tech world and rattled capital markets, even shaking NVIDIA’s stock price.

It’s hard to imagine that DeepSeek’s rise to global attention happened during China’s Spring Festival, a time traditionally reserved for family gatherings and lighthearted conversations. Yet, this cutting-edge tech development stole the spotlight from holiday topics and became the center of discussions across the country.

Interestingly, the same thing happened during last year’s Chinese New Year, when OpenAI’s Sora became the most talked-about innovation.For two consecutive years, the biggest AI news has coincided with China’s grandest festival.

DeepSeek did not emerge out of nowhere. Industry insiders had been closely watching the company for some time. Over the past weeks, much of the buzz has centered around R1, a reasoning model similar to OpenAI’s O1.

However, many of DeepSeek’s most astonishing breakthroughs—such as its incredibly low training costs—were already evident when it launched V3 late last year. In fact, many of the innovations behind V3 were first introduced with V2 back in early 2024. This is why DeepSeek has long been considered a rising star in the AI community.

Over the past weeks, global cloud service providers have been racing to integrate DeepSeek’s models into their platforms. No one wants to miss out on the AI frenzy sparked by DeepSeek. Beyond proving China’s growing competitiveness in AI, DeepSeek’s success has also sparked deep reflection among Chinese tech giants: Why did the most groundbreaking AI breakthrough come from a startup with no commercial pressure rather than from well-funded industry giants?

I found some answers in earlier interviews with DeepSeek’s founder.

At the helm of DeepSeek is Liang Wenfeng, whose previous venture was High-Flyer, one of China’s top quantitative hedge funds. High-Flyer relies entirely on AI-driven investment strategies, without human traders. This background gives Liang and his team an innate understanding of AI.

Unlike many startups that rush into commercialization, DeepSeek chose open-source from the very beginning. This decision wasn’t just about financial independence—it was a strategic move, in the founder’s view, to attract top-tier global talent. Liang once said:

“In the face of disruptive technologies, a closed model’s competitive moat is only temporary. The real moat lies in a team’s growth, technical accumulation, and a culture of continuous innovation.”

He further explained: “For technical talent, having others build upon your innovations is immensely fulfilling. Open-source is more of a cultural philosophy than a business strategy—it earns respect. There is also a cultural attraction for a company to do this..”

In today’s fiercely competitive AI landscape, this vision is particularly striking. While industry leaders like OpenAI have pivoted from open to closed models, DeepSeek is doubling down on openness.

Liang believes that “building a strong technical ecosystem first is more important” than immediate commercialization. For him, open-source is not just a technological choice—it seems to be a philosophical one.

Preview: In tomorrow’s article, we will explain in simple terms how DeepSeek has reduced training costs through technological innovation and impacted the global market.

About the Author

Yang Zhao is in charge of CGTN’s science, technology, and environmental coverage. He also founded CGTN’s Tech It Out studio, which produces award-winning scientific documentaries, including Human Carbon Footprint, Architectural Intelligence, and Land of Diversity.

Yang Zhao

Here, towering ice structures mimicking landmarks from across Asia, cheers from super-long ice slides, and the breathtaking view from a giant Ferris wheel attracted over 610,000 visitors during this year’s eight-day Spring Festival holiday, which ended Tuesday.

Near the entrance of the Harbin Ice-Snow World, an iconic winter attraction, a row of giant red characters stands out: “Snow and ice are also valuable assets.”

This statement, first made by Chinese President Xi Jinping about nine years ago, has reshaped the country’s ice-and-snow sector and spurred the stellar growth of related industries.

In March 2016, when taking part in a group discussion with Heilongjiang lawmakers at the annual national legislative session, Xi stressed the importance of leveraging the province’s winter resources. “Clear waters and green mountains are valuable assets, and so are Heilongjiang’s ice and snow,” he said.

Bordering frigid Siberia, Heilongjiang is known for its freezing temperatures and ample snowfall in winter. With winter temperatures sometimes dropping below minus 30 degrees Celsius, the provincial capital Harbin is dubbed China’s “ice city.”

Guided by Xi’s vision, the province has made sustained efforts to turn itself into a world-class winter tourist destination. Last year, Harbin alone welcomed 179 million visitors, with tourism revenue reaching 231.42 billion yuan (about 32 billion U.S. dollars), both rising over 30 percent year on year.

The 9th Asian Winter Games, set to open here on Friday, presents the latest opportunity to cement Harbin’s “ice city” reputation. Notably, winter sports and tourism are also gaining momentum across China.

Driven by policy support and increased demand, the number of ice-and-snow tourists in China is expected to reach 520 million in the 2024-2025 winter season, with revenue likely to exceed 630 billion yuan, according to the latest report by the China Tourism Academy.

300 MILLION PEOPLE IN WINTER SPORTS

Xi has identified China’s ice-and-snow sector as both a key economic driver and a vital means of promoting public fitness. A passionate sports enthusiast, he closely follows the development of winter sports.

The primary goal of hosting the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics was to “engage 300 million people in ice-and-snow sports” and promote the leapfrog development of winter sports in the country, Xi told International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach in 2014.

Before Beijing 2022, he conducted five on-site inspections across different competition zones in Beijing and the adjacent Hebei Province, meeting with athletes, construction workers and venue operators.

“The ultimate goal of building a sporting powerhouse and a healthy China is to strengthen the people’s fitness, which is also an essential part of China’s endeavors to build a modern socialist country in all respects,” Xi said.

The goal of “300 million people in winter sports” is now a reality, thanks to the promotion and popularization of ice-and-snow sports.

“This year, our facility has seen a greater number of people hitting the ice, with a year-on-year growth of about 15 percent,” said Meng Qingyou, who teaches skating at a winter sports center in Harbin.

Across the province, well-equipped facilities and professional coaching at ski resorts have drawn in new entrants from across the country.

In the city of Shuangyashan, a popular ski resort offers 14 trails of varying difficulty levels, catering to both novices and seasoned ski enthusiasts.

“This is my first time skiing,” said Zhao Dezhou, a tourist from east China’s Jiangsu Province. “At first, I was really nervous, but with the coach’s patient guidance, I can now glide freely across the snow and fully enjoy the thrill of this winter sport!”

Even in snow-scarce regions of the country, more people are embracing indoor ice-and-snow sports. According to a recent industry report, six of the world’s top 10 indoor ski resorts are in China, located in cities such as Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu.

An aerial drone photo shows tourists visiting the Harbin Ice-Snow World in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)

ICE-AND-SNOW ECONOMY

Beiji Village is nestled at the northernmost tip of China in the city of Mohe, Heilongjiang. As one of the coldest villages in China, Beiji endures an average temperature of below zero for over seven months a year.

This agricultural and fishing village was named a national top-level scenic spot in 2015, attracting an increasing number of visitors to experience its unique scenery and extreme cold.

“The tourism resources here are truly exceptional,” said Xi at the village during an inspection tour in September 2023. He stepped into villager Shi Ruijuan’s homestay and talked with the locals.

Noting the importance of the tourism sector in achieving high-quality development, Xi urged policy support to ensure that the distinctive snow-and-ice resources generate more income for local people.

In the past, the harsh cold and remote location drove many locals to leave Beiji. Nowadays, however, the very same factors are drawing tourists from far and wide. With ice-and-snow tourism gaining popularity in recent years, ice skating, skiing and fun activities like splashing water to create ice crystals have become big draws of the village.

“Tourists used to come mainly in summer, but now we get plenty of visitors in winter too,” said Shi, adding that she had never expected the bitter cold to become a major tourism attraction.

Shi has run the homestay business for more than a decade. “Previously, it was hard to make even 10,000 yuan a year. Now, we have visitors all year round, and during peak season I can earn over 10,000 yuan in just a week,” she said.

With its booming ice-and-snow tourism, northeast China as a whole has gained fresh appeal. Once known as the country’s rustbelt, the region has long struggled with a painful economic transition and talent outflows.

“Revitalizing northeast China” has been a recurring theme evident in Xi’s multiple inspection tours. In 2023, he stressed efforts to focus on developing the ice-and-snow economy as a new growth driver by promoting a full industrial chain of ice-and-snow sports, culture, equipment and tourism.

Under Xi’s guidance, the ice-and-snow boom has spread from northeast China to the entire country, fostering a new national growth engine.

Located in northwest China’s Xinjiang, Altay Prefecture is developing its reputation as a top skiing destination. In the 2023-2024 snow season, Altay welcomed about 4.89 million tourist visits, with tourism revenue totaling 5.1 billion yuan. It drove about half of the growth in terms of both tourist visits and revenue in Xinjiang last season.

Southwestern provinces, such as Yunnan and Sichuan, are also leveraging their unique plateau ice-and-snow resources, as well as their proximity to Southeast Asia, to attract tourists.

Peng Fuwei, a senior official of the National Development and Reform Commission, noted that the sector has formed a “dual-engine” structure, with winter manufacturing and services leading the way.

“China now produces a comprehensive range of winter sports equipment, from personal gear to high-end snowmaking machines and snow groomers. In 2023, winter equipment sales reached about 22 billion yuan,” he said.

The country aims to boost its ice-and-snow economy as a new source of growth, targeting an economic scale of 1.2 trillion yuan by 2027 and 1.5 trillion yuan by 2030, according to guidelines released by the State Council last year.

Xinhua

Xi made the remarks at a welcome banquet ahead of the opening ceremony of the Games in Harbin, capital city of northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province.

He called on Asia to hold fast to the common dream of peace and amity, jointly respond to all sorts of security challenges, and contribute to building an equal and orderly multipolar world.

Xi also stressed the shared pursuit of prosperity and development, calling on Asian people to seek common progress and inject impetus into economic globalization.

To realize the common wish of integration and affinity, Xi called for promoting inclusive coexistence, exchanges and mutual learning among different civilizations in Asia.

Xinhua