Briefly

CHINA

FM to visit Hungary and attend MSC

Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit Hungary on Wednesday and travel to Germany to attend the 62nd Munich Security Conference, where he will deliver a speech at its China session, the Foreign Ministry has announced. During his visit to Hungary, Wang will have in-depth exchanges of views on bilateral relations and issues of common concern with the Hungarian side, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told reporters on Tuesday. "China is willing to work with Hungary to implement the important consensus reached by leaders of the two countries, deepen strategic communication, expand pragmatic cooperation, and promote the stability and long-term development of China-Hungary and China-EU relations," he said.

UNITED NATIONS

World body awaits clarity on US' payment of dues

The United Nations said on Monday it's waiting to find out how much of the nearly $4 billion the United States owes the organization. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned last week that the world body faces "imminent financial collapse" unless its financial rules are overhauled or all 193 member nations pay their dues, a message clearly directed at the United States. The US owes $2.196 billion to the UN's regular operating budget, including $767 million for this year, according to a UN official. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters on Monday that Guterres has been in touch with Washington's envoy "for quite some time", and the UN's controller also has been in touch with US officials.

IRAN

Security chief arrives in Oman after nuke talks

The secretary of Iran's top security body arrived in Oman on Tuesday, days after a new round of nuclear talks was held in Muscat between officials from Washington and Tehran. Ali Larijani, who heads the

Supreme National Security Council, will hold talks with Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, and Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, Iran's state news agency IRNA reported. They will discuss the latest regional and international developments as well as economic cooperation between Iran and Oman, the news agency said. The visit comes after Iran and the United States resumed dialogue on Friday for the first time since the 12-day Iran-Israel conflict last June. Iran has in the past communicated its positions in writing when dealing with the US. Iranian media had said Larijani would deliver an important message on the trip.

Agencies - China Daily