CHINA

Stronger relations with France, Europe sought

Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke by phone on Wednesday with Emmanuel Bonne, diplomatic adviser to the French president. Wang said that amid a turbulent international landscape, recent visits to China by leaders of multiple European countries have given a strong boost to China-Europe relations. He expressed hope that France will continue to play an active role within the European Union and advance the sound and steady development of China-EU ties. Bonne said advancing stable EU-China relations fully aligns with the interests of both sides, and France is committed to supporting this effort.

DPRK

Large-caliber rocket launcher system tested

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea conducted a test-fire on Tuesday of a large-caliber multiple rocket launcher system to verify its effectiveness, with top leader Kim Jong-un overseeing the event, the Korean Central News Agency reported on Wednesday. Four rockets were fired, hitting a sea target 358.5 kilometers away from the launch point, it said. Expressing satisfaction with the results, Kim, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea, said the party's Ninth Congress "will clarify the next-stage plans for further bolstering the country's nuclear war deterrent".