Xi Jinping

Tokyo has been in step with other G7 nations in imposing sanctions against Russia and supporting Kyiv over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. During his Ukraine visit, Kishida is expected to offer continuing support for Ukraine when he meets with Zelenskyy.

Buoyed by China's successful mediatory role in bringing a peace deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia recently following which the two warring Arab countries agreed to resume diplomatic ties, Xi now focuses on brokering a deal to end the Russia-Ukraine war in a bid to enhance Beijing's role in global diplomacy.

In February, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he wanted to meet Xi Jinping to discuss Beijing's proposal. "I really want to believe that China will not supply weapons to Russia," he said.

The NPC also endorsed Xi's close aide Han Zheng as vice president. This year's annual session of the NPC is regarded as significant as it heralds a once-in-a-ten-year change of leadership of the Chinese government, including the Premier who presides over the State Council, the central Cabinet.

Xi addressed the troops from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) headquarters on the border defence situation in Khunjerab under the Xinjiang Military Command. During the call, he “inspected their combat readiness”, the report said.

Taiwan has announced its decision to offer support to China to deal with the deadly COVID outbreak. Taiwan and China have repeatedly sparred over their respective measures to control the spread of COVID.

Chinese President Xi Jinping called on Saturday for more effort and unity as the country enters a "new phase" in its approach to combating the pandemic. Three years after the coronavirus first emerged in the Chinese city of Wuhan, Beijing this month began ditching its hardline containment policy known as 'zero-Covid'.

Taiwan on Tuesday announced an extension in mandatory military service from four months to one year, citing the threat from an increasingly hostile China.The extended requirement will apply to men born after January 1, 2005, Tsai added.

Nearly a fortnight after China lifted the much-despised 'zero-Covid' restrictions following a spate of protests, the country is reeling under a massive coronavirus wave, with a Chinese diplomat blaming "foreign forces" for the anti-government demonstrations.

India is entering an area that angels fear to tread. Its self-proclaimed role of 'Mahaguru' will be put to the severest test, says Ambassador TP Sreenivasan