Briefly

CHINA

Premier holds phone call with IMF chief

Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday held a phone conversation with Kristalina Georgieva, managing director of the International Monetary Fund. Li said China's cooperation with the IMF not only benefits the two sides, but also helps deal with challenges faced by the international community. China is willing to help certain countries relieve their debt burdens under multilateral frameworks, Li said, but noted that Beijing also proposes joint actions and fair burden-sharing by all parties. Georgieva said she believes the Chinese economy will continue to be the major driver of world economic growth.

NIGERIA

Tinubu declared winner of presidential vote

Bola Tinubu of Nigeria's ruling All Progressives Congress party has won Nigeria's presidential election with more than 8.79 million votes, the country's electoral body said on Wednesday. The 70-year-old president-elect defeated his closest rival, former vice-president Atiku Abubakar, candidate of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party, said Mahmood Yakubu, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission. The election was one of the most hotly contested in the country's history. Outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday hailed Tinubu's victory, saying the results revealed democracy in Africa's largest economy. "I congratulate His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his victory. Elected by the people, he is the best person for the job."

THAILAND

Cobra Gold military exercises resume

The multinational exercise Cobra Gold 2023 was launched in U-Tapao Thai navy airfield in Thailand's eastern Rayong Province on Tuesday, marking the return to its pre-pandemic scale after three years. In his remarks at the opening ceremony, Thai Armed Force chief General Chalermpol Srisawat said more than 7,000 personnel from 30 countries took part in the drill this year. According to the Thai Armed Forces, the exercise will last until March 10, with the core exercises including command post exercise, humanitarian civic assistance and field training exercise. The Chinese military has dispatched a contingent to participate in the humanitarian assistance and disaster relief exercise.

China Daily - Xinhua