Briefly

JAPAN

Senior Chinese official meets with Kishida

The China-Japan ties and the Taiwan question were high on the agenda of the latest meeting between senior Chinese official Liu Jianchao and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. Kishida, also president of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, met with Liu, minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, in Tokyo on Wednesday. Liu said China-Japan ties have been developing toward stability in general recently, but there are also challenges. The two countries should work together to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders and strengthen exchanges at all levels, he said.

THE NETHERLANDS

Top civil servant named new prime minister

Dick Schoof, a top Dutch civil servant, has been named the new prime minister of the Netherlands, the four political parties involved in forming a right-wing government announced on Tuesday. Schoof, 67, has held various positions as a civil servant and is currently a leading official at the Ministry of Justice and Security. Schoof is set to work with the four right-wing coalition partners to look for new ministers in the upcoming government.

COLOMBIA

Congress votes to ban bullfighting

Colombia's congress voted on Tuesday to ban bullfights in the South American nation. It is a centuries-old tradition that has inspired famous songs and novels but has become increasingly controversial in the countries where it is still practiced. The bill calls for the banning of bullfights in a three-year span, making the tradition illegal by the start of 2028. The new law now needs to be signed by President Gustavo Petro.

China Daily - Agencies - Xinhua