China is ready to work with Japan to comprehensively advance the strategic relationship of mutual benefit between the two countries and build constructive and stable bilateral ties, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said at a press briefing in Beijing on Tuesday.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on the day that Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya is to visit China on Wednesday at invitation, and Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Foreign Minister, will hold talks with Iwaya.
They will also attend the second meeting of high-level consultation mechanism on people-to-people and cultural exchanges between China and Japan, Mao Ning said.
"During their meeting on the sidelines of the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Lima in November, President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba agreed to maintain high-level exchanges and make good use of high-level dialog mechanisms in economic, cultural and other fields. China attaches importance to Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya's visit to China. China is ready to work with Japan to focus on common interests, strengthen dialog and communication, deepen practical cooperation, properly manage differences, jointly strive to comprehensively advance China-Japan strategic relationship of mutual benefit, and get committed to building a constructive and stable China-Japan relationship that meets the requirements of the new era," said Mao.
China ready to advance ties with Japan: spokeswoman
China ready to advance ties with Japan: spokeswoman
China ready to advance ties with Japan: spokeswoman
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
