China to offer visa-free travel for 6 European nations
China will offer visa-free travel to nationals from six European countries – Austria, Belgium, Hungary, Ireland, Luxembourg and Switzerland – from March 14, Foreign Minister Wang Yi announced on Thursday. He also said the move will make it more convenient for Chinese citizens to travel abroad. "We hope more countries will also offer Chinese citizens visa facilitation and work with us to build fast-track networks for cross-border travels and encourage speedy resumption of international passenger flights," Wang told a press conference in Beijing. Amid tensions with the European Union (EU) over trade, technology and other issues, the foreign minister said the EU's position on China is "not factual or feasible". Referring to the EU's portrayal of Beijing as a "partner, competitor and institutional rival", Wang said: "This triple positioning is not factual or feasible, and has actually brought unnecessary interference and obstacles to the development of China-EU ties". On the war in Ukraine, he said China wants peace talks between Russia and Ukraine to be held as soon as possible. “The earlier the talks start, the sooner peace will arrive,” he said.  On the Gaza conflict, Wang said an immediate ceasefire should be the priority of the international community. "There is no distinction between noble and humble lives, and life should not be labelled by race or religion. The failure to end this humanitarian disaster today in the 21st century is a tragedy for humanity and a disgrace for civilisation."  Wang said China supports United Nations membership for a Palestinian state. (Additional reporting by AFP)