China is committed to sharing development opportunities and achieving common development with its neighboring countries, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Friday.
Mao made the statement at a regular press briefing in Beijing while answering a media question that a freight train bound for Tashkent, Uzbekistan, departed from Beijing on Wednesday, which marks the official launch of the first Beijing-Central Asia freight train service.
Mao reiterated China's dedication to win-win cooperation with Asian nations.
"China has recently made great strides in boosting interconnectivity with its neighboring countries, including the launch of new routes for China-Central Asia freight trains, commencement of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, and the New Land-Sea Corridor which has seen annual freight train traffic exceed 10,000. We have signed cooperation agreements on jointly building the Belt and Road with 25 neighboring countries and China is the largest trading partner of 18 countries. China has served as an anchor of stability, an engine of economic development, and a pillar of regional security in Asia," Mao said.
"China's prosperity is inseparable from Asia, and Asia also relies on China for development. China will continue to pursue the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness in neighborhood diplomacy, promote the building a community with a shared future, share opportunities and achieve common development with neighboring countries," Mao added.
China committed to sharing development opportunities with neighboring countries: FM spokeswoman
China committed to sharing development opportunities with neighboring countries: FM 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
