BEIJING, March 15 (APP):The 13th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the country’s top political advisory body, concluded its annual session in Beijing on Thursday morning.
During the closing session, the national political advisers approved a work report of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC National Committee, a resolution on an amendment to the CPPCC charter, a report on the examination of proposals, and a political resolution on the first session of the 13th CPPCC National Committee.
Newly-elected CPPCC Chairman Wang Yang addressed the meeting, urged the members to uphold the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and safeguard the core status of Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee.
The CPPCC is an important organ for multiparty cooperation and political consultation led by the CPC, which started its annual session this year on March 3.

UNITED NATIONS, Mar 14 (APP):Two United Nations relief agencies Wednesday joined a chorus of international organizations and partners in the quest to end seven years of conflict in Syria, urging warring parties to allow humanitarian access for the delivery of life-saving assistance to those desperately in need.
“Every day that goes by without a resolution to this crisis is another day where we have failed the people of Syria,” Jakob Kern, World Food Programme (WFP) Representative and Country Director in Syria, said in a statement.
“The single greatest priority must be an end to this conflict. History will hold us accountable,” he added.
The conflict, which is entering its eighth year, has brought intolerable suffering to millions of people. In many parts of the country, the violence has reached unbearable levels.
Every day, families under bombardment and shelling face a nightmare and more innocent lives are lost. More than a third of Syria’s population is internally displaced.
With this continuous displacement come alarmingly high levels of hunger and need. Some 6.5 million people in Syria are food insecure and another four million people twice as many as a year ago – are at risk of becoming so.
Since the conflict started, food prices have soared beyond the reach of many. Bread is now eight times more expensive compared to pre-crisis times. Today, a shocking seven in ten Syrians live in extreme poverty.
In 2017, UN-led humanitarian convoys reached 820,200 people inside Syria, according to UN relief agencies.
“We are humans. We are civilians. We do not deserve this. My children are hungry and have no food to eat,” a resident in Eastern Ghouta said during a rare delivery of humanitarian aid in February rare because the fighting hardly ever lets up long enough for humanitarian convoys to reach the besieged enclave.
The World Health Organization (WHO) also renewed its call for the protection of health workers and for immediate access to besieged populations.
“This health tragedy must come to an end,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said.
“Every attack shatters communities and ripples through health systems, damaging infrastructure and reducing access to health for vulnerable people,” he added.
Attacks on the health sector have continued at an alarming level in the past year. The 67 verified attacks on health facilities, workers, and infrastructure recorded during the first two months of 2018 amount to more than 50 per cent of verified attacks in all of 2017.
An estimated 2.9 million Syrians live in UN-declared hard-to-reach and besieged locations. WHO is providing health assistance to many of these areas but lacks consistent access.
Last year, WHO delivered over 14 million treatments across the country, including through cross-border and cross-line services.
“The suffering of the people of Syria must stop. We urge all parties to the conflict to end attacks on health, to provide access to all those in Syria who need health assistance, and, above all, to end this devastating conflict,” Tedros said.

LONDON, March 14 (APP):Pakistan Day celebrations have kicked off here at the Pakistan High Commission with showcasing artistic creations of Pakistani artists.
Renowned designers from Pakistan showcased the specimens of their work to packed to capacity venue comprising spouses of high commissioners, ambassadors, diplomats and leading ladies from the diaspora.
Naila Noornai, jewellery designer and Rana Noman, bridal-wear designer, put on display their creative work. More than 100 guests evinced keen interest in the exquisite cultural heritage of Pakistan.
Begum High Commissioner, Mrs Sadaf Abbas organized the event to celebrate the upcoming Pakistan Day as well as the International Women’s Day.
Speaking on the occasion, Mrs Sadaf Abbas said:“On the occasion of the Women’s Day, I am happy to say that since our independence 70 years ago – women in Pakistan have come a long way. Women empowerment in Pakistan was pioneered by leading lights like Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah and Begum Raana Liaqat Ali Khan and the journey continues.”
She added: “Today, we have tried to give you a glimpse of rich Pakistani culture by showcasing exquisite bridal-wear and handcrafted traditional jewelry.”
On the occasion, famous violist Sara Sirhandi played melodious viola tunes which added colour to the festive ambiance of the show.