China vows to advance Hainan FTP as global investment hub: vice president

China remains committed to developing the Hainan Free Trade Port as a key gateway for international investment, inviting global enterprises to tap into the country's growth opportunities, according to Chinese Vice President Han Zheng on Monday.

Han made the statement in addressing the 2025 Global Industrial Investment Promotion Conference for the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP), which opened on Monday in Haikou City, capital of Hainan Province.

The conference comes at a pivotal moment as Hainan prepares to implement full customs closure operations this year, marking a new phase in China's high-level opening-up strategy.

Recalling the important instructions given by Chinese President Xi Jinping during last December's inspection tour, Han noted that after seven years of development, Hainan has emerged as a new frontier for China's opening-up, an important platform for regional and mutually beneficial cooperation, and a new driving force in advancing economic globalization.

Han highlighted that China remains committed to promoting high-quality development through high-standard opening-up. The Hainan FTP prepares to implement island-wide customs closure operations this year, which demonstrates China's firm determination and practical efforts to expand openness and actively advance economic globalization.

China will continue to provide vast opportunities and development space for global investors, steadfastly advance the construction of the Hainan FTP and create first-class business environment with enhanced services, Han said.

Han also extended a warm invitation to international investors in his speech, encouraging them to invest in China and the Hainan FTP to capitalize on the country's growth prospects.

Jointly organized by the Hainan Provincial Government and the Ministry of Commerce, the conference serves as one of the key events in the 2025 "Invest in China" series. Under the theme "Invest in Hainan, Connect with the World," the gathering showcases the Hainan FTP's construction achievements, business environment and investment opportunities to global investors.

Approximately 3,000 participants are attending the three-day event, including government representatives, domestic and foreign-funded enterprises, and chambers of commerce delegates from home and abroad.

In April 2018, China announced a decision to develop Hainan into a pilot free trade zone while gradually exploring and steadily promoting the establishment of an FTP with Chinese characteristics. In June 2020, a master plan was rolled out to build the island into a globally influential and high-level FTP by the middle of the century.

Seven years on, Hainan has built a policy framework centered on "free and convenient trade, investment, cross-border capital flows, personnel mobility and transportation, and the safe and orderly flow of data," and an FTP system underpinned by features like zero tariffs, low tax rates, and simplified tax systems.

Official statistics show that by the end of 2024, the province was home to 9,979 foreign-funded enterprises, with 77.3 percent established after June 2020. The number of countries and regions investing in Hainan has jumped from 43 in 2018 to 174 in April 2025.

China vows to advance Hainan FTP as global investment hub: vice president

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