Officials and experts from Vietnam and Cambodia voiced high expectations for Chinese President Xi Jinping's upcoming state visits, hoping they will elevate cooperation with China to new heights.
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, will pay a state visit to Vietnam from April 14 to 15, at the invitation of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam and President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Luong Cuong.
"China's remarkable development is an unstoppable trend. Its success injects powerful momentum into global progress and opens up new opportunities for developing countries like Vietnam. There is enormous potential for China-Vietnam cooperation in science and technology. We are willing to further deepen scientific and technological collaboration with China, and hope that China will enhance cooperation in areas such as high-quality talent training, technology transfer, and financial support with Vietnam. This will help lay a solid foundation for the two countries to enter a new era of shared prosperity and development," said Bui Thanh Son, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Vietnam.
"China's scientific and technological creativity is thriving, not only in innovation hubs in major cities like Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, but also in smaller cities across the country. When I visited some small cities and towns, I found that although they are not very big, automation and robotics technologies are already widely applied. I hope China's experience can offer valuable lessons for Vietnam, enabling us to learn from China not only in economic development but also in fields such as science, technology, and education," said Le Dang Doanh, a Vietnamese economist.
President Xi will also pay state visits to Malaysia and Cambodia from April 15 to 18, at the invitation of King of Malaysia Sultan Ibrahim and King Norodom Sihamoni of Cambodia.
In Cambodia, anticipation is equally high. Officials believe Xi's visit will further advance the building of a Cambodia-China community with a shared future.
"China is on the right path -- committed to peace and development. Asian countries must work hand in hand to overcome difficulties and obstacles, support each other, and expand common interests. I fully support President Xi's Global Development Initiative," said Hos Sereythonh, advisor to the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and former ambassador to the Philippines and Laos.
Vietnam, Cambodia welcome, expect Xi's Visit
Vietnam, Cambodia welcome, expect Xi's Visit
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
