Xinhua world news summary at 0830 GMT, Feb. 10

DAMASCUS -- Syria's air defenses targeted several Israeli warplanes, which had launched airstrikes against a Syrian military base in central Syria on Saturday, the country's state television reported.

The report did not provide further details about the incident. (Syria-Israel-Airstrike)

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ST. PETERSBURG -- The celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year started in St. Petersburg on Friday with the Sichuan Culture Festival.

Hundreds of local residents saw an exhibition of Chinese paper

umbrellas, Sichuan embroidery, etc. Many of them participated in various

master classes, sampled Sichuan cuisine, and Datusi tea, a well-known tea produced in Sichuan Province, southwest China. (Russia-St.Petersburg-Spring Festival)

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PYONGYANG -- Official media of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Saturday highlighted the attendance of Kim Yo Jong, sister of DPRK top leader Kim Jong Un, at the PyeongChang Olympics opening ceremony on Friday.

The official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said in a report that Kim Yo Jong "took the platform of the opening ceremony" along with South Korean President Moon Jae-in. (DPRK-S. Korea-Olympics)

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WASHINGTON -- Visiting Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi met U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House's Oval Office on Friday, urging the two nations to enhance coordination and cooperation on the Korean Peninsula and other international issues.

Sending Trump the sincere regards of Chinese President Xi Jinping, Yang said the two nations should manage and control their disputes and sensitive issues properly, and implement the consensus reached by Trump and Xi during their meeting last November in Beijing. (U.S.-China-Ties) Enditem