Latest news with #diplomatic relations


Russia Today
4 days ago
- Politics
- Russia Today
Deadly clashes erupt on Cambodia-Thailand border: As it happened
Thailand and Cambodia have exchanged strikes in a flare-up of violence over a disputed border area. At least a dozen people are reported to have been killed since clashes erupted on Thursday. Troops from both sides exchanged fire near the Ta Muen Thom temple, a centuries-old Khmer Hindu site located in a contested area claimed by both nations. The dispute stems from colonial-era French maps that left parts of the border ill-defined. Both countries have accused each other of opening fire first. The clash marks the deadliest escalation in the long-running territorial standoff in recent years. The day before, Thailand closed its northeast border crossing with Cambodia, withdrew its ambassador, and expelled the Cambodian envoy to protest a landmine blast that wounded five Thai soldiers. Cambodia has since said it will also be downgrading diplomatic relations with Thailand to their lowest level, and will be expelling the Thai ambassador as well as recalling all Cambodian staff from its embassy in Bangkok. This live feed has ended.


Russia Today
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Russia Today
Vietnam culture festival kicks off in Moscow
A festival marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Russia and Vietnam has kicked off in Moscow, offering a colorful showcase of Southeast Asian culture. The event opened on Friday and will run through August 3. It is part of the city's 'Summer in Moscow' program and features more than 100 activities. Organizers say the festival aims to strengthen cultural ties through music, dance, cuisine, and traditional crafts. 'The festival is timed to coincide with the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries,' said Natalia Sergunina, deputy mayor of Moscow. One of the main highlights is the famous Vietnamese water puppet theater – a performance tradition that dates back to the 11th century. Guests can also watch demonstrations of national martial arts, take part in bamboo pole dancing, and hear traditional instruments said to mimic the sounds of will teach visitors how to make toys from rice dough and prepare signature dishes such as Pho Bo soup and fresh spring rolls. Culinary pavilions are serving Vietnamese coffee, green rice desserts, and other regional delicacies. The open-air celebration includes a market with decorative goods from Vietnam, including hand-painted Non hats and Dong Ho prints. Art installations and photo zones round out the attractions, set up in a central square near the is considered a strategic partner of Moscow in the tourism sector. According to official figures, more than 36,000 Vietnamese visitors came to the Russian capital last year, with one in four trips made for business purposes. Authorities say cross-border tourist flows are expected to grow further through joint projects and cultural exchanges. The festival continues a series of multicultural events organized in Moscow this summer. Russia and Vietnam established diplomatic relations in 1950, and officials say this year's anniversary marks an opportunity to deepen people-to-people ties.


Arab News
5 days ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Chinese Embassy celebrates 98th anniversary of People's Liberation Army
RIYADH: The Chinese Embassy in Saudi Arabia hosted a reception on Thursday in Riyadh's Cultural Palace to mark the 98th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army. 'The Chinese and Saudi people have a friendship and connection of more than 2,000 years,' said Zhu Je, the armed defense attache at the embassy. He added that the two nations celebrated this week the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, which began on July 21, 1990. In his opening remarks, Zhu highlighted the growing relations between the two nations. 'China has become Saudi Arabia's largest trading partner; Saudi Arabia is China's largest trading partner in the Middle East,' he said. President Xi Jinping and Saudi Arabia's leaders have worked on developing a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership since 2022, Zhu said. 'In 2024, by instructions of the Saudi leaders, His Royal Highness Prince Khalid bin Salman visited China, Sino-Saudi military relationship was upgraded to strategic level. 'Chief of general staff, His Excellency Gen. Fayyadh Al-Ruwaili, led series of delegations to China, achieving solid results in multiple cooperation fields,' he said. Zhu said the Chinese armed forces was created as a part of the country's struggle for national unification and independence. He said over the past 98 years, 'led by the Chinese Communist Party and supported by the people, it has won more than 200 significant battles and defeated more than 10 million enemies.' This had made a 'great contribution to the independence, safety and development of the country, having become a strong force to deter aggression and threats.' On the region, Zhu said China wants to play a constructive role in promoting peace and stability. 'China calls for (an) immediate and sustained ceasefire in Gaza, opposes the deportation of the Gaza people. 'China, together with Saudi Arabia advocate that the Palestinian issue should be resolved comprehensively, justly and lastingly on the basis of the two-state solution,' he said. There were several ambassadors and defense officials at the reception, including Chinese Ambassador Chang Hua, who hosted the event alongside Zhu. Zhu added: 'I would again express our sincere gratitude to the Saudi leaders and people, especially the Armed Forces, the Ministry of Interior, the National Guard and other security institutions.'


Russia Today
6 days ago
- Politics
- Russia Today
Deadly clashes erupt on Cambodia-Thailand border
Thailand and Cambodia have exchanged strikes in a flare-up of violence over a disputed border area. At least a dozen people are reported to have been killed since clashes erupted on Thursday. Troops from both sides exchanged fire near the Ta Muen Thom temple, a centuries-old Khmer Hindu site located in a contested area claimed by both nations. The dispute stems from colonial-era French maps that left parts of the border ill-defined. Both countries have accused each other of opening fire first. The clash marks the deadliest escalation in the long-running territorial standoff in recent years. The day before, Thailand closed its northeast border crossing with Cambodia, withdrew its ambassador, and expelled the Cambodian envoy to protest a landmine blast that wounded five Thai soldiers. Cambodia has since said it will also be downgrading diplomatic relations with Thailand to their lowest level, and will be expelling the Thai ambassador as well as recalling all Cambodian staff from its embassy in Bangkok.


South China Morning Post
6 days ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
‘Rebalancing' needed in China-Europe relationship, chamber president says
This year marks half a century of formal diplomatic relations between China and the European Union, as well as the 25th anniversary of the founding of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China. In this entry of our series examining ties between the two powers, Ji Siqi speaks to the chamber's president about business sentiment in a tense period for global trade. Advertisement The president of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China – the chief non-profit organisation advocating on behalf of the continent's businesses – has said the relationship between Beijing and Brussels has reached a tipping point, encouraging the two to realign their collaborative model and distribute benefits in a more equitable manner. Jens Eskelund said there is a strong perception among the European population that China is taking most of the spoils from bilateral trade, as the EU's manufacturing sector struggles to compete with a glut of cheaper goods. 'When we look back at the past 50 years of the bilateral relationship, it has created enormous value for both sides,' Eskelund told the Post on the eve of the chamber's 25th anniversary. 'Chinese exports have created jobs and wealth in China, and given the average European higher purchasing power. 'Now the question is, if we are in a situation where very intense pressure from China leads to losses for European companies … then, of course it becomes, 'Hang on, why are we doing this?'' Advertisement The relationship between China and the EU has been fraught in recent years, despite continuous dialogue as both sides seek to avoid the sort of full-blown trade war being waged by US President Donald Trump.