Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Saturday on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, stated during the meeting that China and Germany have maintained frequent high-level interactions while their pragmatic cooperation continues to show strong momentum and deliver positive results. Wang noted that although unilateralism and protectionism are on the rise, the global shift toward multipolarity is unstoppable.
As strategic partners, China and Germany, as well as China and the European Union, should strengthen solidarity, coordination, and cooperation, uphold free trade, practice multilateralism, and safeguard the authority of the United Nations, said Wang, noting China is willing to deepen all-round cooperation with Germany, promote the positive development of bilateral relations, and safeguard global peace and stability.
For his part, Scholz stated that Germany highly values its relationship with China and is willing to strengthen exchanges and dialogue at all levels. He emphasized Germany's opposition to protectionism and disagreement with a tariff war. Scholz expressed hope that the EU and China will adopt a constructive approach to properly resolve trade frictions including that on electric vehicles as soon as possible, and work together to uphold the free trade system.
The two sides also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis.
China willing to deepen all-round cooperation with Germany: FM
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
