Briefly

CHINA

New Zealand's Luxon to pay four-day visit

New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will pay a four-day official visit to China starting Tuesday at the invitation of Premier Li Qiang, the Foreign Ministry said on Friday. During the visit, Chinese leaders will meet with Luxon separately to have in-depth discussions on China-New Zealand ties and international and regional issues of shared concern, ministry spokesman Lin Jian said. Facing the complex and changing international situation, China hopes to strengthen strategic communication, political mutual trust and pragmatic cooperation with New Zealand to jointly tackle challenges, Lin said.

MONGOLIA

Zandanshatar takes office as new PM

Mongolian lawmakers on Friday confirmed former top diplomat Gombojav Zandanshatar as the country's new prime minister. Zandanshatar, 52, was elected on Friday morning, with 108 out of 117 present voting in favor. In a speech to lawmakers following his election, he stressed "the urgent need to stabilize the economy" and "improve the income and livelihood" of citizens, according to a readout from the parliament.

PANAMA

US urged not to meddle in domestic affairs

Panama's President Jose Raul Mulino on Thursday demanded the US embassy in Panama City stop meddling in domestic affairs, following its public statements on issues that fall solely under Panama's national jurisdiction. "I am asking the US embassy to refrain from making public pronouncements regarding decisions that are only made by the Panamanian government," Mulino said at a news conference. "The United States has no reason to comment on decisions that concern the national government."

UNITED STATES

Defense secretary hints at force plans

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth appeared to acknowledge that the Pentagon has developed plans to take over Greenland and Panama by force if necessary during a heated congressional hearing on Thursday about his use of Signal chats to discuss military operations. Representative Adam Smith asked whether the Pentagon has developed plans to take Greenland or Panama by force if necessary. "Our job at the Defense Department is to have plans for any contingency," Hegseth said.

China Daily - Agencies - Xinhua