China

Beijing urges restraint at sea

China on Wednesday urged all countries to fully implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and refrain from actions that could aggravate or complicate the issue. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei made the remarks after the Philippines recently filed a protest against Chinese marine surveillance ships that sailed to the waters around Ren'ai Jiao, referred to as "Ayungin Shoal" by the Philippines.

Turkey

Border crossing with Syria shut

Turkey has shut its side of the last border crossing with Syria, stepping up security following two deadly bombings this month. Fifty-one people were killed when twin car bombs ripped through the Turkish border town of Reyhanli on May 11.

Lebanon

Fighting in Tripoli leaves 11 dead

At least 11 people have died and more than 100 been wounded in three days of Syria-related clashes in Lebanon's flashpoint city of Tripoli, a security source said on Wednesday.

Xinhua-Reuters -AFP

(China Daily 05/23/2013 page12)