一 | CARACAS, Venezuela -- Frightened by unprecedented violence on the streets and within prisons, Ecuadorians have a universal demand for the president they will choose Sunday — safety.The runoff election in the South American country pits an heir to a banana empire, Daniel Noboa, and an attorney, Luisa González. Both have limited governing experience and will undoubtedly have their work cut out.The election comes as more Ecuadorians become victims of drug-related violence that erupted roughly three years ago and intensified in August, when a presidential candidate was assassinated in broad daylight. People continuously watch their backs and limit how often they leave home. The uneasiness even pushed Noboa to add a bulletproof vest to his daily outfit.Whoever wins with a simple majority of votes will govern for only 15 months, until May 2025, which is what remains of the presidency of Guillermo Lasso. He cut his term short when he dissolved the country’s National Assembly in May as lawmakers carried out impeachment proceedings against him over alleged improprieties in a contract by a state-owned company.Lasso, a conservative former banker, clashed constantly with lawmakers after his election in 2021 and decided not to run in the special election. Under Lasso's watch, violent deaths soared, reaching 4,600 in 2022, the country’s highest in history and double the total in 2021. The National Police tallied 3,568 violent deaths in the first half of 2023.“Security affects us all, and whether poor or rich, no one is safe from criminals anymore,” housewife Ximena Flores said ahead of the runoff election. “Do you think that a new president will be able to do something in such a short time? I think not. It will be a new disappointment for everyone.”The spike in violence is tied to cocaine trafficking. Mexican, Colombian and Balkan cartels have set roots in Ecuador and operate with assistance from local criminal gangs.Voting is mandatory in Ecuador for people ages 18 through 64. Those who don’t comply face a fine of about $45. Polls were to close in late afternoon, and results were expected Sunday evening.Noboa and González, both of whom have served short stints as lawmakers, advanced to the runoff by finishing ahead of six other candidates in the election’s first round Aug. 22.Noboa, 35, is an heir to a fortune built on Ecuador’s main crop, bananas. His political career began in 2021, when he won a seat in the National Assembly and chaired its Economic Development Commission. He opened an event organizing company when he was 18 and then joined his father’s Noboa Corp., where he held management positions in the shipping, logistics and commercial areas.González, 45, held various government jobs during the decade-long presidency of Rafael Correa, her mentor, and was a lawmaker until May. She was unknown to most voters until Correa’s party picked her as its presidential candidate. At the start of the campaign, she said Correa would be her adviser, but she has recently tried to distance herself a bit in an effort to court voters who oppose the former president.___Associated Press writer Gonzalo Solano in Quito, Ecuador, contributed to this report.。
二 | 中新社北京8月24日电 8月24日下午，中国国家主席习近平在北京人民大会堂同来华进行国事访问的约旦国王阿卜杜拉二世举行会谈。 习近平指出，中约建交以来，始终相互尊重、平等相待、互利合作，是不同社会制度、不同大小国家合作共赢、交流互鉴的生动写照。2015年，我们共同宣布建立中约战略伙伴关系，开启双边关系发展新篇章。面对变乱交织的国际和地区形势，建设更具内涵、更有活力的中约关系符合两国人民共同期待，也顺应全球南方联合自强的大势。双方要弘扬传统友好，增进战略互信，深化互利合作，密切多边协作，推动中约战略伙伴关系得到更大发展，不断为地区和平、稳定、繁荣作出积极贡献。
三 | 习近平强调，中方重视约旦在地区的独特和重要作用，坚定支持约旦维护国家主权、安全、发展利益，愿同约方密切政府、政党、立法机构、地方等各层级交往，加强治国理政经验交流。中约合作本质是互利共赢，双方要进一步深化发展战略对接，加强经贸、基础设施建设、交通、矿产等传统领域合作，拓展数字经济、人工智能、绿色能源等新合作增长点，全方位深化教育、文化、科技、旅游等交流，扩大人员往来，增进民心相通。中方愿同约方一道践行四大全球倡议，加强在联合国等多边机构协调和配合，共同维护以联合国为核心的国际体系和以国际法为基础的国际秩序，推动构建人类命运共同体。 阿卜杜拉二世表示，中国是一个伟大的国家，在习近平主席领导下取得巨大发展成就，令人钦佩。
四 | 约旦和中国建立了强有力的战略伙伴关系，双方始终相互尊重、密切协作，各领域合作取得丰硕成果。约方坚定奉行一个中国政策，认为台湾是中国领土的组成部分。约旦高度重视对华关系，致力于同中国深化经贸、制造、农业、科技、医药、文化、教育等领域合作交流，欢迎更多中国企业赴约旦投资，实现共同发展繁荣。约方高度评价习近平主席提出的四大全球倡议，期待中国在世界舞台上发挥更重要的领导作用。 两国元首就中东地区局势交换了意见。习近平强调，中方一贯主张全面停火止战，通过政治外交途径化解争端，认为包括约旦在内地区国家的主权和安全应当得到尊重。
五 | 巴勒斯坦问题是中东问题的核心，推动解决这一问题应坚持4点原则：一是必须坚持政治解决，锚定“两国方案”这一正确方向，推动巴以重启和谈，实现巴勒斯坦早日独立建国；二是必须坚持“巴人治巴”，巴勒斯坦是所有巴勒斯坦人的家园，应秉持“巴人治巴”原则推进约旦河西岸治理和加沙战后重建；三是必须坚持人道主义，国际社会特别是联合国安理会应该切实负起责任，保护平民安全，确保人道主义援助，制止人道主义灾难；四是必须坚持公平正义，以国际法治为基础，以标本兼治为目标，以务实行动为路径，推动巴勒斯坦问题早日实现全面、公正、持久解决。 阿卜杜拉二世表示，约方高度赞赏中方在中东事务中一直秉持公正立场，支持阿拉伯国家正义事业，中方的正义立场对地区国家非常重要。约方愿同中方保持密切沟通，继续为缓和当前局势作出积极努力，让中东各国人民安享和平与繁荣。 会谈后，两国元首共同见证签署外交、经贸、产供链、司法等领域多项合作文件。 双方发表《中华人民共和国和约旦哈希姆王国关于深化中约战略伙伴关系的联合声明》。
六 | 会谈前，习近平在人民大会堂北大厅为阿卜杜拉二世举行欢迎仪式。 阿卜杜拉二世抵达时，礼兵列队致敬。两国元首登上检阅台，军乐团奏中约两国国歌，天安门广场鸣放礼炮21响。阿卜杜拉二世在习近平陪同下检阅中国人民解放军仪仗队，并观看分列式。 当晚，习近平在人民大会堂金色大厅为阿卜杜拉二世举行欢迎宴会。 王毅参加上述活动。(完) 【编辑:张子怡】。
七 |
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