Korean Canadian artist Zadie Xa shortlisted for Turner Prize 2025

Korean Canadian artist Zadie Xa has been nominated for the prestigious Turner Prize this year for her presentation at Sharjah Biennial 16, the Tate announced Wednesday. Xa is among four nominees, alongside British artist Rene Matic, Iraqi artist Sami Mohammad and London-based artist Nnena Kalu. An exhibition of the nominated artists’ works will be held at the Cartwright Hall Art Gallery in Bradford, England, from September this year to February 2026 as part of the Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture celebrations. The winner will be announced Dec. 9 at an award ceremony in Bradford, a northern English county of West Yorkshire. The prize comes with a cash award of 25,000 pounds ($33,200). Xa, 42, is known for her powerful installations and paintings that interweave the stories of Korean shamanic rituals, myths and folklore. The presentation she was nominated for, “Moonlit Confessions Across Deep Sea Echoes: Your Ancestors Are Whales, and Earth Remembers Everything,” was created in collaboration with Benito Mayor Vallejo at Sharjah Biennial 16, encompassing the forms of mural, textiles, sound and painting. “Her vibrant installation blended a soundscape with ethereal paintings, bojagi patchwork and an interactive sculpture of over 650 brass wind chimes inspired by Korean shamanic ritual bells. The jury felt that this cohesive work was a sophisticated development of Xa’s reflective and enchanting practice,” according to the Tate. "Bojagi" is the Korea's traditional wrapping cloth. Kalu was nominated for her presentation as part of “Conversations” at the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool, England, and “Hanging Sculpture 1 to 10” at Manifesta 15 in Barcelona, Spain. The artist makes cocoonlike shapes out of paper and textiles that are bound, layered and wrapped, the process of which is rooted in repeated gestures. Matic — who captures fleeting moments of joy in daily life and expressions of tenderness within a wider political context — was nominated for the solo exhibition, “As Opposed to The Truth,” at CCA Berlin. Exploring memory and loss through art, Sami was recognized by the jury for his large-scale paintings that represent war and exile shown at the solo exhibition “After the Storm” at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, England.

Underdogs Gwangju FC set to duel richer, deeper Al Hilal at AFC Champions League Elite

Gwangju FC will try to add a new chapter to their underdog story when they take on a heavily favored Saudi Arabian opponent in a knockout match at the top Asian club football tournament this week. Gwangju FC, the lone remaining K League 1 club, will face Al Hilal in the quarterfinals of the Asian Football Confederation Champions League Elite at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, at 7:30 p.m. Friday, or 1:30 a.m. Saturday. After the two-legged round of 16, the quarterfinals, the semifinals and the championship final will all be one-and-done affairs. Saudi Arabia will be the centralized host country for all remaining knockout matches, including the final on May 3. Coached by Lee Jung-hyo, Gwangju FC have developed a reputation as a feisty team punching above their weight. In the round of 16 at the AFC tournament, they dropped the first leg against Vissel Kobe 2-0 but then won the second leg 3-0 to advance with a 3-2 aggregate win. Al Hilal will present a whole new challenge. They are among the most decorated clubs in the world, having captured 70 official trophies, including four AFC Champions League titles before the tournament was renamed and restructured ahead of the 2024-2025 season. Their star-studded squad features Kalidou Koulibaly, Ruben Neves, Joao Cancelo and Aleksandar Mitrovic. Following Gwangju FC's 2-1 win over FC Seoul in their most recent K League 1 match Saturday, Lee said his team will thrive on their underdog label. "I hope a lot of people will feel inspired by watching us play," he said. "I've told my players that no matter who our opponents are, they should just go play and take on the challenge courageously. The more experience they gain, the better they will become." In a press release issued by the club Wednesday, Lee said he felt confident in Gwangju's chances. "I've analyzed Al Hilal and I think we are better in terms of organization," the coach said. "Football is a team sport and I believe in our team's possibilities. We really want to win the tournament, and we will keep playing our brand of football the way we always have." Midfielder Park Tae-jun, who scored the winning goal Saturday, said he couldn't wait to face Al Hilal. "I'm excited. I know they have some great players but I think we can more than hold our own," he said. "We may not have their individual skills but if we can battle as a team, we should be able to come away with a good result." Gwangju FC, a city-run club with persistent financial issues, can improve their bottom line with a win this week. By reaching the round of 16, cash-strapped Gwangju FC earned US$200,000 in prize money. They made another $400,000 by making it to the quarterfinals. Semifinalists will receive $600,000 each. The runner-up will earn $4 million while the champion will grab $10 million. Last season, Gwangju FC spent about 9.6 billion won in player salaries, or about $6.7 million, according to the K League. (Yonhap)

Nongshim breaks ground for smart farm in Saudi Arabia

South Korean food and beverage company Nongshim held a groundbreaking ceremony Monday for a pilot greenhouse at the National Agricultural Research Center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, marking a key step in Korea’s push to export agricultural technology to the Middle East. The ceremony was attended by Vice Minister Park Beom-su of Korea’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and Al Mushaiti, Saudi Arabia’s Vice Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture. As part of Seoul's Smart Farm Export Promotion Program, Nongshim was selected as the lead company in a consortium of four Korean firms and will be responsible for managing the construction and operation of a smart greenhouse tailored to local conditions. Scheduled for completion by December 2025, the facility will cover 2,000 square meters and integrate two models: a vertical farm and a glass greenhouse. It will grow leafy vegetables such as frilled lettuce and kale, as well as cherry tomatoes, cucumbers and bell peppers, optimized for the tastes of local consumers. The initial harvest will be sold through the distribution channels of a local Saudi partner, with future expansion into major retailers such as Carrefour and LuLu Hypermarket, and online platforms like Amazon and Noon. “Nongshim is proud to represent Korea in promoting the excellence of smart farming,” a company official said. “This project will serve as a foundation for expanding our global smart agriculture business.”

NAE:UM offers Korean fine dining in heart of Singapore

Chef Louis Han’s Michelin-starred restaurant blends modern techniques with the soulful essence of Korean flavors, creating multisensory dining experience SINGAPORE -- Tucked along a vibrant street lined with restaurants and bars in the heart of Singapore, NAE:UM quietly asserts itself as a symbol of Korean culinary evolution. Since its 2021 debut, the fine-dining restaurant has won accolades including a Michelin Star and the Michelin Guide Singapore’s 2022 Young Chef Award for its chef, Louis Han. Named after the Korean word for a “fragrance that evokes memories,” NAE:UM reflects Han’s vision -- to craft dishes that stir the past while embracing modern techniques. In a city renowned for its culinary diversity, the Korean chef has carved a niche with his “contemporary Seoul cuisine,” blending Western culinary styles with Korean heritage flavors. NAE:UM occupies a two-story space with an unassuming yet elegant exterior -- a pale lemon-yellow facade with a light wood door that invites guests into its warm, dimly lit interior. Inside, the design is minimalist yet comforting, setting the tone for an intimate dining experience. The staff greets guests by confirming reservations and guiding them to their seats, whether at the dining tables or the bar seating thoughtfully prepared for solo diners. The restaurant isn’t large, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in atmosphere. With an open kitchen at its corner, guests can observe the calm precision of Han and his team of Korean and local staff, quietly crafting each course with meticulous care. The chef occasionally steps out to introduce the dishes himself, adding a personal layer to the experience. Episode 9: A culinary story in nine acts Currently titled “Episode 9,” the tasting menu reflects Han’s storytelling approach to food. Offered in two formats -- the Signature Course at SGD 268 ($204) and the Classic Course at SGD 228 -- each nine-course journey includes the option of creative alcoholic or nonalcoholic pairings, including Korean traditional liquors -- a hit among international diners. The journey begins with a trio of amuse-bouches: a jorim tart topped with sea urchin; a buchimgae kimchi tartlet with crispy edges; and ganghwae, a refreshing bite of scallop, herbs and cucumber jelly. The next course, deokgalbi, reimagines the beloved Korean beef patty. Here, it's paired with a crispy rice puff and pickled cucumber, adding brightness and crunch. Tomato dongchimi is both nostalgic and new, combining marinated tomato, spring salad, horse mackerel sashimi and caviar in a broth that nods to traditional water kimchi but is elevated with a slick of chili oil and a foundation of cucumber jelly. Memilmyeon, or buckwheat noodles inspired by Han’s childhood, arrives adorned with abalone, flying fish roe and white kimchi sliced into the shape of a flower. The dish bridges past and present -- a tribute to the simple noodle meals his parents prepared on weekends, now transformed into a flavor-rich homage. Next is chogye, a reinterpreted cold chicken soup, featuring zucchini blossoms stuffed with chicken and a pea-based broth poured tableside refreshingly acidic. As the warm dishes begin, the complexity of Han’s technique deepens. Perhaps the standout dish of the evening is Diamond, made with diamond fish, named not just for its rarity but its value. The fish, similar in texture to cod or salmon, is served with a creamy doenjang (fermented soybean) sauce, thinly sliced radish and doenjang-marinated vegetables. The so galbi includes smoky beef short rib, a tofu soy reduction and grilled perilla-stuffed onion, served with your choice of artisanal knife made from olive wood, buffalo horn or deer antler. A side of kale salad adds contrast, though its texture may not appeal to everyone. The penultimate savory course, gulbi, is a labor of love. Han personally dries and salts the yellow corvina, a rarity in Singapore. It’s served over stone pot rice with sesame oil and three Korean side dishes: white kimchi, wood ear mushrooms and dubujang (tofu sauce). Guests may choose their rice portion -- another thoughtful touch in an already meticulous experience. Sweet endings, rooted in tradition Dessert begins with ddalgi, a strawberry yogurt sorbet with white asparagus mousse -- a delicate balance of sweet and savory. Then comes a juak, a Korean rice doughnut served warm over truffle cream and finished with Martell XO cognac. Rich and aromatic, it feels like a finale in itself. The meal concludes with a quartet of traditional sweets: jeongpyeon (fermented rice cake), gangjeong (crispy puffs), omija jelly and sujeonggwa (spiced punch). The latter, aged for a month and rich with cinnamon, aids digestion while offering a final floral note. NAE:UM offers a meal composed of narrative told through taste, memory and culture. Chef Louis Han masterfully fuses Korean tradition with modern elegance, creating a dining experience that’s both intimate and expressive. Reservations are highly recommended. Allow at least two hours for the full course experience. As Korean cuisine gains global recognition on the back of international hit dramas and shows, a new wave of chefs is bringing refined, modern interpretations of traditional flavors of Korea to cities around the world. This is part of a series that introduces Korean fine dining outside of South Korea. --Ed.

Blackpink’s Jennie returns to Coachella in two years, this time solo

Jennie of Blackpink returned to the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, California, on Sunday (local time), marking her third appearance at one of the world’s largest music festivals — and her first there as a solo act. Previously gracing the Coachella stage in 2019 and 2023 with Blackpink, Jennie took to the Outdoor Theatre this year, just two days after fellow bandmate Lisa made headlines with her own solo set at the Sahara Tent, Friday. Jennie's return attracted much attention, particularly as both members showcased their individual artistry apart from the group. Jennie’s 50-minute set comprised 13 tracks, primarily from her first solo studio album “Ruby,” released in March. The set list, created exclusively for Coachella, differed from the lineup performed during her solo concerts held in Seoul and other cities last month, offering a fresh experience for global fans. Opening the show with “Filter,” Jennie appeared in a Western-inspired outfit complete with a hat and sunglasses. She followed with tracks including “Mantra,” “Handlebars,” “Start a War,” “Zen” and “F.T.S.” Her performance of “Zen” emphasized a commanding stage presence, while “F.T.S” allowed her to slow down and showcase her emotional vocals with a handheld microphone. The highlight of the evening was her performance of “like JENNIE,” the hit single that charted on both Billboard’s Hot 100 and the UK Official Singles Chart. Chanting, “Come on, it’s gon’ be fxxx hard,” Jennie unleashed rapid-fire raps and electrified the crowd, triggering a massive sing-along. Fans flooded the Coachella YouTube livestream chat and social media platforms with the term “JENCHELLA,” a fusion of Jennie and Coachella. The set also included a surprise collaboration with singer Kali Uchis for their track “Damn Right,” released in March. The two artists delivered a sultry duet, trading lines across a tiered stage with Jennie’s poised movements complementing Uchis’ rich vocals. Childish Gambino, who is also featured on the track, did not appear. “I did not expect to see so many people out there,” she said following the performance. “Thank you for coming to my set, I love you Coachella.” Jennie closed the show with “Starlight,” ending the night on a sentimental note as she thanked her fans — known as Blinks — as well as her dancers, band, and crew. Jennie is scheduled to perform on the Coachella stage for a second performance April 20.

At least 50 people killed in east Congo as government and Rwanda-backed rebels trade blame

GOMA, Congo (AP) — At least 50 people were killed in weekend attacks in Congo’s conflict-battered east, authorities said Saturday. The government traded blame with Rwanda-backed rebels over who was responsible for the violence that quickly escalated the conflict in the region. The renewed violence that residents reported in and around the region’s largest city of Goma — which the M23 rebels control — was the biggest threat yet to ongoing peace efforts by both the Gulf Arab state of Qatar and African nations in the conflict that has raised fears of regional warfare. Goma resident Amboma Safari recounted how his family of four spent the night under their bed as they heard gunfire and bomb blasts through Friday night. “We saw corpses of soldiers, but we don’t know which group they are from,” Safari said. In the second city of Bukavu, which the M23 also controls, dozens of the armed Wazalendo local militia members who fight alongside Congolese forces marched for a few hours towards the local airport as they appeared to stage a challenge against the rebels. The group, which later retreated, declared a ceasefire on Sunday to give ongoing peace talks “a chance.” The decades-long conflict between Congo and the M23 rebels escalated in January , when the rebels made an unprecedented advance and seized the strategic eastern Congolese city of Goma, followed by the town of Bukavu in February. The latest fighting has killed some 3,000 people and worsened what was already one of the world's largest humanitarian crises, with around 7 million people displaced. In a statement, Congo’s Ministry of Interior said 52 people were killed between Friday and Saturday, including a person shot dead at Goma’s Kyeshero Hospital. The ministry blamed the attack on M23. M23 spokesperson Lawrence Kanyuka blamed Congolese forces and their allies for the attacks. Kanyuka said in a statement that Congo's joint operations with local militias and southern African troops “directly threaten the stability and security of civilians” in the region. The group said it has been compelled to “reconsider its position to prioritize the security” of the people in the area, suggesting the crisis could worsen. Christian Kalamo, a civil society leader in the North Kivu province that includes Goma, said at least one body was seen on the streets on Saturday. “It is difficult to know if it is the Wazalendo, the FARDC (Congolese forces) or the M23" that carried out the attacks, Kalamo said. “Now, we don’t know what will happen, and we live with fear in our stomachs, thinking that the war will resume.”

If you have a sweet tooth, Mithai Gali in Pakistan's Karachi is a must visit

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (Dawn/ANN) — Upon turning into the street and looking around, one wonders why the people have not gotten fat. In Liaquatabad, the street nicknamed “Mithai Gali” by locals is full of pakwan (commercial kitchen) shops busy preparing sweets in droves. They produce so many sweetmeats or “mithai” that they sell at wholesale rates — about one-fourth of the rates of a regular candy shop. At Azeem Sweets and Rabri House, the per-kilogram rate of gulab jamun is $1.25. Chumchum, the next best seller, is $1.60. Barfi, besan key ladoo and motichoor key ladoo are $1.96 and kalakand is $2.30. In fact, many shops selling expensive mithai buy from these places. The sweetmeat sellers here say that they can keep their prices low as they use powder milk in the preparation of their mithai instead of fresh milk. It is fun to watch the mithai being produced in huge quantities at these shops. They have machines to make small balls from the different mithai batter. For gulab jamun, they have three sizes. Falsa (berry) size is the smallest, party size is medium, big size is well, big. There is also another size and shape for gulab jamuns, such as a ‘lamba’ size. These are the bigger oblong-shaped gulab jamuns. Depending on their size, it may take hours to deep fry the gulab jamuns. The smaller ones take less time, of course. But all are fried in the biggest of woks that one has ever seen. They require buckets full of oil for the frying. While the gulab jamuns are being fried, the kitchen staff prepares the sweet syrup to soak the fried gulab jamun in after frying. Sacks after sacks of sugar are poured into boiling water to prepare the syrup on a separate stove. After frying, the gulab jamuns turn golden brown from their previous off-white colour. That‘s when they are taken out of the wok and transferred to the tanks of already prepared syrup to absorb the sweetness for a couple of hours. The heat in the kitchens makes the work challenging, but the men who prepare sweetmeats seem used to it as they produce sweetmeats by the tons and make very good sales, despite selling at wholesale rates. The biggest sellers at these shops are gulab jamun. You can get some 45 small, falsa-size gulab jamuns in one kilogram and 20 to 25 bigger ones in the same weight. The kitchens also sell sweet rice or zarda on order for wedding ceremonies or other occasions. There is extra rush at Mithai Gali during special occasions such as Eidul Fitr, Eidul Azha and 12 Rabiul Awwal when everything sells like hot cakes.

Happy marriage of fresh minari and chewy pork belly

Minari, in season right now, adds refreshing touch to all-time favorite samgyeopsal Minari is not just the winner of the Golden Globe for best foreign language film and the winner of best supporting actress award at the Academy Awards in 2021. While the film "Minari" may have introduced the vegetable to audiences worldwide, not many people know that the herb heralds the first days of spring in South Korea. Minari is a long-stemmed, leafy green vegetable that bears a physical resemblance to parsley. Sometimes called water celery or water dropwort in English, minari is known for its somewhat mildly bitter aftertaste, refreshing aroma and is claimed to have detoxifying properties. It is usually popular in Korean cooking and often used as an herb in stew dishes, blanched lightly and seasoned as namul or used in making buchimgae or grilled savory pancakes. Another way to add minari to your table is to pair it with samgyeopsal, pork belly. At the vibrant Jonggak Avenue of Youth, located in the heart of Seoul's Jongno district, lies Jukmagodon, a Korean pork belly restaurant. A good three-minute walk from Exit No. 4 of Jonggak Station on Metro Line No. 1 will take you to the three-story restaurant. The eatery's signature dish is minari samgyeopsal. Once you order the dish, the staff brings pork belly aged for three to five days to the table and grills the meat. As you wait for the meat to be grilled to perfection, a number of the usual side dishes are served: green salad with soy sauce-based dressing; pickled Siberian onion leaves, bean sprouts and fern brake namul, stir-fried fish cake and kimchi. Haemul sundubu-jjigae, a spicy stew with silky soft tofu, is served free of charge. For the meat, five types of condiments are offered: green onion sauce, wasabi, fresh cream sauce, barbecue sauce and salt. When the pork belly starts to turn a little brown, the staff adds on minari, some of the side dishes as well as sliced onioin, zucchini, shiitake mushroom and potato to the grill. Once everything is cooked, wrap minari around a piece of pork belly and dip it into the green onion sauce for the first bite. If you want a unique twist, try wrapping the pork belly with thinly sliced rice cake wrap and dip it in barbecue and cream sauces. Adding salt and a dab of wasabi to bring out the rich flavor of the meat is another way to savor pork belly. Also, try enjoying the meat with fried kimchi. Rice can be ordered by bowl for 2,000 won. A minari samgyeopsal set serves 300 grams of pork belly and is priced at 34,000 won ($23.12). There are other great dishes to try at Jukmagodon. A special pork omakase -- a dining style where guests leave the choice of dishes to the chef -- that serves 550 grams of pork roll, pork shoulder, skirt steak and shrimp grilled in butter is priced at 99,000 won. It is also the restaurant's signature menu item. Other cuts of pork are also available. When you are finished with meat and if you have room for some more food, try jang kalguksu, hand-cut noodles served in spicy broth, priced at 16,000. There are several other noodle dishes as well as kimchi cheese fried rice priced at 9,000 won. Jukmagodon is open 2 p.m. - 11 p.m. daily, except Sundays. The last order is at 10:30 p.m.

LS Eco Energy joins $150m wind farm project in Philippines

LS Eco Energy, a Vietnam-based cable manufacturer under Korea’s LS Cable & System, announced Friday that it will supply electric cables for a $150 million wind farm project in the Philippines. The company’s Vietnamese subsidiary, LS-VINA, will supply medium- and low-voltage cables for the Kalayaan 2 wind farm, a 100-megawatt project located in Laguna province, about 100 kilometers southeast of Manila. Scheduled for completion in 2026, the wind farm is expected to provide clean energy to up to 85,000 households, the company said. "As the Philippine government aims to raise its renewable energy share to 50 percent by 2040, large-scale solar and wind projects are actively underway, with increasing involvement from private businesses," said an LS official. As the largest power cable manufacturer in Vietnam, LS Eco Energy is accelerating its expansion beyond national borders. In early March, the company secured a contract to supply power cables for the Philippines’ largest internet data center, the STT Fairview Campus. It is also in negotiations for a cross-border renewable energy project that will supply Singapore with energy generated in other Southeast Asian nations, the company said. Amid growing regional demand for power infrastructure fueled by renewable energy development, LS Eco Energy plans to actively expand its involvement in major clean energy projects across Southeast Asia.

Ukraine says more than 150 Chinese mercenaries are fighting for Russia

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine on Wednesday expanded on its claim that significant numbers of Chinese nationals are fighting for Russia's invading army, saying it had gathered detailed intelligence on more than 150 mercenaries Moscow allegedly recruited through social media. In China, officials called the allegations "totally unfounded." The Ukrainian accusation and Chinese denial come as the US strives to secure a ceasefire in the more than three-year war. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Tuesday that the Ukrainian military had captured two Chinese men fighting alongside the Russian army on Ukrainian soil. It was the first time Ukraine had made such a claim about Chinese fighters in the war. On Wednesday, Zelenskyy said he was willing to exchange the two prisoners of war for Ukrainian soldiers held captive in Russia. Without providing evidence, Zelenskyy said officials in Beijing were aware of Russia's campaign to recruit Chinese mercenaries. He stopped short of saying the Chinese government authorized the mercenaries' involvement in Ukraine. Zelenskyy said Ukraine has the last names and passport data for 155 Chinese citizens fighting for the Russian army and that "we believe that there are many more of them." He shared with journalists documents listing names, passport numbers and personal details of the alleged Chinese recruits, including when they arrived in Russia for military training and departed for service; the AP has not independently verified the documents. China has provided strong diplomatic support for Russia since it launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. It has also sold Russia machinery and microelectronics that it can use to make weapons, Western officials say, in addition to providing an economic lifeline through the trade in energy and consumer goods. China is not believed to have knowingly provided Russia with troops, weapons or military expertise. US officials have accused Iran of providing Russia with drones, while American and South Korean officials say North Korea has sent thousands of troops and ammunition to help Russia on the battlefield. With the US and Europe having provided substantial military support and diplomatic heft for Ukraine, the war has to some degree become a contest between power blocs. Tensions between the US and China have deepened in recent years. Disputes have centered on geopolitical influence, technology and trade -- and recently escalating import tariffs between the countries have roiled global financial markets. Zelenskyy said US officials expressed "surprise" when informed of the presence of Chinese mercenaries in Ukraine. US President Donald Trump is trying to follow through on a campaign promise last year to swiftly end the war in Ukraine. US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said at a briefing in Washington on Tuesday that reports of Chinese citizens fighting on behalf of Russia were "disturbing." "China is a major enabler of Russia in the war in Ukraine," Bruce said. China provides nearly 80 percent of the dual-use items Russia needs to sustain the war, she claimed. But Keith Kellogg, Trump's special envoy to Ukraine and Russia, said he is "not convinced yet" the Chinese personnel identified as fighting on behalf of Russia against Ukraine are more than mercenaries or volunteers. "There's an axiom in the military, the first report is always wrong," Kellogg said during a Wednesday appearance at Georgetown University. "And this is one of those let's sit back and see how this plays out, because it could be volunteers." Kellogg noted that Ukraine also has volunteers from other countries, including the United States, fighting on its behalf. He added that the early reports of Chinese personnel are not on par with North Korea's deployment of thousands of troops to the frontlines. The European Union's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, also called Beijing "the key enabler of Russia's war." Dual-use goods are entering Russia via China, she said in Brussels, adding "it's clear that if China would want to really stop the support then it would have an impact." China has surged sales to Russia of machine tools, microelectronics and other technology that Moscow in turn is using to produce missiles, tanks, aircraft and other weaponry for the war, according to a US assessment last year. The Kremlin has effectively rejected a US proposal for an immediate and full 30-day halt in the fighting in Ukraine. The Kyiv government has consented to it. Both sides are believed to be readying spring-summer military campaigns. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said in Beijing that China has played a "constructive role in politically resolving the Ukraine crisis." Lin told a daily news briefing Wednesday that "the Chinese government always asks Chinese citizens to stay away from conflict zones, avoid getting involved in any form of armed conflict, and especially refrain from participating in any party's military operations." His comments appeared to indicate that the captured Chinese had joined Russia's ranks on their own initiative. Both Russia and Ukraine allow foreign soldiers to enlist. China has previously put forward a vague peace plan that was swiftly dismissed by most observers. In the meantime, both countries have kept fighting a war of attrition along the roughly 1,000-kilometer front line and targeted each other with long-range strikes. The city of Kramatorsk in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk endured a "massive drone attack" overnight, regional head Vadym Filashkin said, injuring an 11-year-old girl, her mother and her grandmother. Ukraine's air force said Russia launched 55 Shahed and decoy drones at the country overnight. The Russian Defense Ministry said that air defenses downed 158 Ukrainian drones over 11 Russian regions overnight but reported no casualties or damage. Several Russian regions temporarily suspended flights at their airports because of the attack, however, and some Ukrainian drones reached Russia's Orenburg region in the southern Urals located nearly 1,200 kilometers east of the Ukrainian border, the Defense Ministry said.