Briefly

CHINA

Spanish Prime Minister Sanchez to pay visit

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez will pay an official visit to China starting on Sunday. During his four-day tour, Sanchez will meet Chinese leaders and exchange views on issues of common concern, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Tuesday. China and Spain are comprehensive strategic partners. Spain is the fifth largest trading partner of China within the European Union, while China is the largest trading partner of Spain outside of the EU. China is willing to take Sanchez's visit as an opportunity to promote new progress in bilateral relations, deepen mutual trust through high-level exchanges, and address global challenges through high-quality cooperation to enrich the partnership between the two countries, Mao said.

Vice-president to attend forum in Russia

Vice-President Han Zheng will attend the Ninth Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Russia, and visit Mongolia from Wednesday to Sunday, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Tuesday. Han will attend relevant activities under the framework of the forum and meet Russian leaders, Mao said. Beijing looks forward to deepening China-Russia "Northeast-Far East" cooperation, and jointly promoting the development of the region, she added. In Mongolia, Han will have in-depth talks with Mongolian leaders on issues of mutual concern, Mao said, adding that China is willing to work with its neighbor to enhance friendly mutual trust, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and promote sustained, stable and healthy development of bilateral ties.

AFGHANISTAN

IS claims suicide attack that kills 6 in capital city

The Islamic State on Tuesday claimed a suicide attack in the Afghan capital that killed six people a day earlier, saying it had targeted the government's prosecution service. The Islamic State said in a statement on Telegram that "the suicide bomber waited until the time when the prosecutor's employees were leaving their shifts" before detonating in the middle of a crowd. On Monday night, Kabul police spokesman Khalid Zadran said six people had been killed and 13 more were wounded.

China Daily - Agencies