Briefly

CHINA

Portugal's foreign minister to pay a visit

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning announced on Friday that Portugal's Minister of State and Foreign Affairs Paulo Rangel will visit China from March 24 to 28. Rangel will be the first foreign minister from a European country to visit China following the annual meetings of China's top legislature and top political advisory body this year. Mao said Rangel will hold the second China-Portugal strategic dialogue at the foreign ministers' level with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi. "The dialogue will mark the first time that such kind of meeting takes place in person. It is expected to enhance the two sides' communication and collaboration, and to implement important consensuses reached by the two countries' leaders," she said.

CANADA

Carney may call for a snap poll next month

New Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to call for a snap election on April 28. He is set to announce the election date on Sunday, two government sources told AFP on Thursday. The quick election announcement reflects Carney's wish to capitalize on a polling surge for his Liberal Party, driven in large part by the US tariffs and US President Donald Trump's unprecedented and repeated statements that Canada should not remain an independent country. Carney, who overwhelmingly won the March 9 party vote to replace Trudeau, has succeeded in uniting the Liberals as they confront Trump amid fears of trade-war-induced recession.

SOUTH KOREA

Opposition party brings motion to impeach Choi

South Korean opposition parties raised a motion to impeach acting President Choi Sang-mok on Friday, the Democratic Party said, in a move likely to escalate recent political strife in the country. Although the motion starts a process that would lead to a vote in parliament — needing a simple majority for it to be passed — the timetable was not immediately clear. Choi, who is also the finance minister, has been leading the country after President Yoon Suk-yeol was impeached over a short-lived martial law he declared in December. Choi's office said it had no comment to offer. A Gallup Korea poll released on Friday showed 58 percent of respondents supported Yoon's removal.

Agencies - China Daily