People's Liberation Army patrols around Taiwan 

The People's Liberation Army Eastern Theater Command has patrolled waters and airspace around Taiwan.

The Chinese military says the combined combat-readiness patrol is a necessary move against U.S.-Taiwan collusion activities.

China, Tonga vow to enhance friendship, cooperation

China and Tonga have vowed to enhance bilateral friendship and cooperation.

The pledge came as part of a meeting between Tongan Prime Minister Hu'akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni and visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

The Tongan prime minister thanked China for its help in Tonga's socioeconomic development, particularly swift assistance in Tonga's response to the volcanic tsunami disaster, as well as support for Tonga's fight against COVID-19.

Wang said that China is willing to synergize development strategies with Tonga and conduct high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.

China, Switzerland in close contact on FTA upgrade

Chinese authorities say the country and Switzerland have maintained close contact on upgrading their existing Free Trade Agreement.

The Chinese Commerce Ministry says the two sides are promoting a joint study on upgrading the agreement and seeking areas where upgrades are possible.

Officials say the negotiations are not stalled.

China is now Switzerland's third-largest trading partner.

Senior Chinese, German officials meet via video link

Yang Jiechi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, has held a video meeting with Jens Plotner, foreign and security policy advisor to the German chancellor.

The two sides exchanged views on China-Germany relations as well as international and regional issues of common concern.

China calls for true multilateralism in tackling non-proliferation issue

China has called for true multilateralism in dealing with the issue of non-proliferation.

China's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Zhang Jun made the remarks during open consultations concerning Security Council Resolution 1540.

The Chinese diplomat described the resolution, which was adopted in 2004, as a major pillar of the international non-proliferation efforts.

He also said China firmly opposes the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery.

Russia to halt gas supplies to companies of Denmark, Germany

Russian energy giant Gazprom says that it will no longer supply gas to Denmark's largest energy company Orsted.

Gazprom also says that it will halt deliveries to Germany under the Shell Energy Europe contract.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree on new rules regarding natural gas trade with "unfriendly" countries and regions.

EU to facilitate food exports from Ukraine

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says her institution is working hard on building "solidarity lanes" to facilitate food exports from Ukraine.

The move is expected to help Ukraine export and import the goods it needs, as the country's ports have been blocked due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.