Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Tuesday met with visiting Finnish President Alexander Stubb in Beijing.
Li noted that bilateral relations between China and Finland have maintained a sound momentum of growth in recent years with bilateral mutually beneficial cooperation being advanced in various fields.
The talks between President Xi Jinping and President Stubb have provided new strategic guidance for further deepening bilateral relations between China and Finland, the premier said.
China is willing to work with Finland to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, carry forward the traditional friendship, enhance political mutual trust, uphold open cooperation, deepen cooperation in fields including economy and trade, science, technology and people-to-people exchanges, achieve higher levels of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, take ties and cooperation between the two countries to a new level and work together in building a global community of shared future, Li noted. For his part, Stubb said Finland-China relations currently enjoy a sound momentum of growth, noting that the Finnish side looks forward to strengthening exchanges at all levels with China and deepening cooperation in areas such as economy and trade, agriculture, green energy, and response to climate change, while also enhancing cultural and people-to-people exchanges.
Finland is committed to promoting steady development of economic and trade relations between Europe and China, said the Finnish president.
Chinese premier meets Finnish president in Beijing
Chinese premier meets Finnish president in Beijing
Chinese premier meets Finnish president in Beijing
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
