China and the European Union (EU) should jointly uphold free and open trade and investment, a spokesman of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Wednesday.
With global trade under the impact of the U.S. sweeping tariffs, Lin Jian, the spokesman, said China and the EU have sent out positive signals to the world through a phone call between leaders of the two sides on Tuesday.
"Yesterday, Premier Li Qiang spoke on the phone with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, sending out a positive message to the world. Both China and the EU are advocates of economic globalization and trade liberalization, as well as staunch defenders and supporters of the World Trade Organization. The two sides should jointly uphold free and open trade and investment, maintain the stability and smooth functioning of the global industrial and supply chains so as to provide stability and certainty for both countries' economy as well as the global economy," he said.
On the upcoming China visit by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, Lin spoke highly of the China-Spain relations and Spain's role in promoting the China-EU relations.
"Spain is an important economy within the EU and a significant partner of China in the EU. China and Spain have maintained strategic stability in the bilateral relations, and are committing to open cooperation and mutually beneficial win-win outcomes, which has a positive effect on the continuous improvement and the future development of the China-EU relations," said the spokesman.
Sanchez will visit China from April 10 to 11 at the invitation of Li.
China, EU should jointly uphold free trade: spokesman
China, EU should jointly uphold free trade: spokesman
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
