BEIJING, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- China is ready to expand cooperation with Tonga in various fields within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, Chinese President Xi Jinping said Friday.

In a phone conversation with Tonga's King Tupou VI, Xi also said China will provide Tonga with economic and technological assistance without political strings attached.

China and Tonga have deepened political mutual trust and achieved fruitful exchanges and cooperation in various fields since the establishment of diplomatic ties, Xi said, adding that since the outbreak of COVID-19, the two countries have stood together through thick and thin and worked together to fight the pandemic.

China, he said, highly appreciates Tonga's firm adherence to the one-China policy.

Facing the complicated and combined impacts of global changes unseen in a century and the pandemic, the two countries need to strengthen solidarity, coordination and cooperation, lift their comprehensive strategic partnership to new levels, and jointly build a community with a shared future for mankind, Xi said.

He stressed that China will continue to implement agritech cooperation projects and provide necessary assistance for Tonga's agricultural and fishery products to enter the Chinese market.

China welcomes Tongan enterprises to actively participate in the China International Import Expo and stands ready to continue to provide assistance within its capacity for Tonga's fight against the pandemic, Xi said.

Xi stressed that China has been actively carrying out win-win cooperation with Pacific Island countries, and is willing to share poverty reduction experience and deepen development cooperation with Tonga and other Pacific Island countries, and help Pacific Island countries better cope with major public health incidents and natural disasters.

China, he added, will set up a China-Pacific Island countries cooperation center of poverty reduction and development, and prepare for building a China-Pacific Island countries reserve of emergency supplies.

China understands the special concerns of small island developing states on climate change and will support Pacific Island countries in improving their capability to cope with climate change.

Tupou VI congratulated China on successfully hosting the National Games and wished the Beijing Winter Olympic Games a complete success.

He said his country is grateful for the important role Chinese medical and agritech experts have played in Tonga's fight against COVID-19 and efforts to ensure food security.

Tonga, he said, sticks to independence and self-reliance, steadfastly upholds the one-China policy, and will continue to firmly support China on issues concerning China's core interests.

He added that Tonga supports Pacific Island countries in strengthening ties with China and is ready to play a positive role in this regard. 

Nominations for the annual The Future of Emerging Europe Awards event acknowledge the best organizations and individuals for their significant contribution to the development of European countries

Georgia, Tbilisi – September 24, 2021 – Vira Platonova, Senior Vice President and Group Country Manager, CISSEE, Visa, has been recognized as the “Female Business Leader of the Year” by the prestigious international The Future of Emerging Europe Awards.

The annual Future of Emerging Europe Summit and Awards event, held in Brussels this year in a hybrid format, initiated a debate addressing the most important topics for a developing Europe. Organizers of the summit also recognized the best governments, organizations, and individuals for making significant contributions to the social, economic and democratic growth of the 23 countries of Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe and the Caucasus.

This year, there were 21 nominations in five major categories: People, Planet, Prosperity, Partnership and Peace. Among them also were ‘Young Influencer of the Year’, ‘Female Business Leader of the Year’, as well as ‘Public Figure of the Year’. Kasia Madera, BBC World News journalist and summit co-founder Andrew Wrobel, announced winners on stage at the BluePoint Brussels convention center, near the European district of the Belgian capital.

For the inspiring success of Visa team in CISSEE region, constant support of women entrepreneurs and development of the next generation of leaders, Vira Platonova was recognized as the best in the category ‘Female Business Leader of the Year’. 

“We believe at Visa in gender equality and just access for all and everywhere. Supporting female leadership and equal career development in our organization, also investing into educational programs, and building communities of female entrepreneurs, we aim to support just and prosperous development of economy and society. On behalf of the Visa team, I am very proud to accept this award, that recognizes our efforts and input, and motivates us to do more,” stated Vira Platonova, Senior Vice President and Group Country Manager, CISSEE, Visa.

The voting process included several stages. After a comprehensive selection of applicants for the nomination, and following the open online public vote, the jury committee, as well as the team of The Future of Emerging Europe Awards, reviewed all candidates and made lists of those who best meet the criteria.

“Madeleine Albright once said that there is a special place in hell for women who don’t help other women. That’s why women empowering women, especially those who have reached great success in their careers, which is particularly important especially in some of the male-dominated societies across emerging Europe. Women need to see more worthy role models, and such nominations contribute to this,” said Andrew Wrobel, Founding Partner of The Future of Emerging Europe Summit and Awards.

This year among many others nominations, the Professor Günter Verheugen Award, given to eminent individuals from outside emerging Europe who have contributed to the region’s prosperity and peace, has been given to Sir Suma Chakrabarti, former president of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (2012-2020). Professor Katalin Karikó (Hungary), whose work formed the basis of the Covid-19 vaccine, was given the Princess Marina Sturdza Award, that recognize distinguished individuals in the region who have contributed to its prosperity, science, culture and peace.

The full list of winners can be found on the website of The Future of Emerging Europe Awards.

Future of Emerging Europe Summit and Awards event is supported by the Emerging Europe Council, an independent advisory body to the board of directors of Emerging Europe, including leading opinion formers, senior business executives, scholars, heads of state and government, former senior representatives of international institutions, civil society and the world of diplomacy and art.

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About Visa Inc.

Visa Inc. (NYSE: V) is the world’s leader in digital payments. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, reliable and secure payment network - enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. Our advanced global processing network, VisaNet, provides secure and reliable payments around the world, and is capable of handling more than 65,000 transaction messages a second. The company’s relentless focus on innovation is a catalyst for the rapid growth of connected commerce on any device, and a driving force behind the dream of a cashless future for everyone, everywhere.  As the world moves from analog to digital, Visa is applying our brand, products, people, network and scale to reshape the future of commerce. For more information, visit usa.visa.com/about-visa, www.visa.com.ge,  https://www.facebook.com/VisaGeorgiaGE.

About Emerging Europe

Emerging Europe is a London-based intelligence, community, and news platform whose mission is to foster sustainable and innovation-driven social, economic, and democratic development of 23 countries of the region, spanning Central, North-eastern and South-eastern Europe and the South Caucasus.

The Future of Emerging Europe – an online and offline debate shedding light on the challenges that the emerging Europe region is facing and highlighting the best solutions and initiatives helping overcome these challenges in five areas: people, planet, prosperity, partnerships, and peace (Sustainable Development Goals) linked to the Emerging Europe Awards.

A shipyard in China has developed a zero-carbon carrier, showing that blue-skies thinking can produce real, world-changing results!

Produced by Xinhua Global Service

On 23 September 2021, the Vice Prime Minister/Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, David Zalkaliani took part in the Ministerial Meeting of the Alliance for Multilateralism organized by Germany and France, on the margins of the High-Level Week (Shaping our common agenda) of the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
The role of multilateralism in combating the pandemic, protecting gender equality and tackling climate change were the key points of the meeting.
The meeting was opened by the German Foreign Minister, Heiko Maas and the French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Yves Le Drian.
In his speech, the Vice Prime Minister/Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, David Zalkaliani spoke about the importance of international cooperation and the rules-based international order in responding to global challenges. He highlighted the role of multilateralism in the context of fighting the pandemic, upholding the rights of women and girls, and protecting the environment. The importance of joint efforts in preparing for the future, dealing with the pandemic and creating a better international system was also stressed.
The Minister reaffirmed Georgia's support for the Alliance for Multilateralism and its commitment to further contribute to the strengthening of multilateralism.