CANBERRA -- Former Australian Foreign Minister Gareth Evans has called on his country to find issues on which there is common ground with China.

"In areas like on climate, nuclear weapons, peacekeeping, counter-terrorism, arms control and -- for the most part -- response to pandemics, it (China) has played a more interested, constructive and potentially cooperative role than has generally been recognized," said Evans in a recent article.

- - - -

BISHKEK -- Kyrgyzstan intends to further develop its regional transit potential, Kyrgyz Minister of Transport and Roads Bakyt Berdaliev told Xinhua in an exclusive interview.

"We are confident that the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative will bring prosperity to the peoples of all participating countries," Berdaliev said, stressing Kyrgyzstan is a staunch supporter of global and regional integration processes.

- - - -

NEW YORK -- "Of greatest concern, there has been a sustained assault against the vibrant exchange with the international community," said Lee C. Bollinger, president of Columbia University, in an open letter to U.S. President-elect Joe Biden.

It's a grave mistake to turn international students away or hinder their ranks, said Bollinger who sees international students as being "utterly foundational to our pursuit of excellence in American higher education."

- - - -

ROME -- Soil biodiversity is under threat, and action is needed to preserve it, the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Qu Dongyu said Friday.

"Soils are not only the foundation of our agri-food systems and the way that 95 percent of the food we eat is produced, but also their health and biodiversity are essential to our efforts to end hunger and achieve sustainable agri-food systems," said Qu at an online ceremony ahead of the UN World Soil Day. Enditem

Related

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)