A site source for the Three Gorges waterway project says the pilot excavation area for the new channel at the Three Gorges hub has completed topsoil stripping and is expected to finish excavation in October. Ongoing works include earthworks on the pilot navigation test section, rock blasting, slope support and drainage, and construction trials. Cumulative excavation is about 4.15 mln cubic meters, roughly 48% of the planned volume, and overall progress is in line with the schedule.

China's UN ambassador Fu Cong told the Security Council at an open emergency meeting on Gaza's humanitarian situation on the 18th (local time) that Beijing seeks a durable, genuine ceasefire in Gaza. He said recent Middle East tensions have eased and urged preserving that momentum to help resolve other regional hotspots. Fu noted the October Gaza ceasefire agreement but said Israel is continuing to expand military occupation, a development China regards with serious concern. China said force cannot secure lasting peace and called on the parties, especially Israel, to fully comply with the ceasefire and stop actions that violate it. Countries with significant influence over the parties should take more active steps to secure a lasting ceasefire, he added.

伊朗外交部副部长：60天后，我们将采用新的机制来管理霍尔木兹海峡，并向该地区国家提出特别倡议。