Briefly

CHINA

Pakistan PM to discuss future of ties during visit

The upcoming official visit by Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif from Tuesday to June 8 will see leaders of the two countries chart the future blueprint for bilateral ties, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Friday. They will have an in-depth exchange of views on bilateral ties and issues of common concerns. This is the Pakistani leader's first visit to China since the new cabinet took office this year. In addition to Beijing, he will also visit Guangdong and Shaanxi provinces.

FM Wang Yi welcomes Turkish counterpart

At the invitation of Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Turkiye's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will pay an official visit to China from Monday to Wednesday, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning announced on Friday.

SOUTH AFRICA

ANC set for big fall, coalition talks likely

South African political parties geared up for coalition talks on Friday as the governing African National Congress looked set to fall well short of a majority in this week's election, the first time this has happened in 30 years. With results from 54.9 percent of polling stations, the party of the late Nelson Mandela had 42.1 percent of votes, a precipitous drop from the 57.5 percent of votes it secured in the last national election in 2019. While the ANC looked likely to remain the largest political force, voters appear to have punished the former liberation movement for years of decline. The final results are expected in the next three days.

UNITED NATIONS

Officials pay tribute to late President Raisi

Senior officials of the United Nations on Thursday paid tribute to the late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, saying he led Iran during a challenging time for the country, region and the world. Raisi, together with his entourage, died in a helicopter crash on May 19. Speaking at a plenary meeting of the UN General Assembly in memory of Raisi, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres extended his condolences to the families of the deceased, and to the government and people of Iran.

INDIA

15 die over 24 hours as temperatures soar

At least 15 people have died of suspected heatstroke in India's eastern states of Bihar and Odisha on Thursday, authorities said, with the region gripped in a debilitating heat wave expected to continue until Saturday. India has been experiencing a blisteringly hot summer.

Agencies - China Daily