China is keen to leverage the upcoming China-Indonesia Ministerial Dialogue to strengthen bilateral trust and cooperation, according to Lin Jian, spokesperson for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at his press briefing on Friday.
On April 21, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Defense Minister Dong Jun will chair the First Ministerial Meeting of the China-Indonesia Joint Foreign and Defense Ministerial Dialogue in Beijing. Indonesia's Foreign Minister Sugiono and Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin will attend the meeting in China. Taking the chance, China is willing to join hands with Indonesia to promote the bilateral relationship and enhance mutual trust, said Lin.
"China and Indonesia are old neighbors facing each other across the sea, and good partners with a shared future. This year marks the 75th anniversary of China and Indonesia's diplomatic ties. With the personal commitment of the leaders of the two countries, China and Indonesia established and initiated the Joint Foreign and Defense Ministerial Dialogue. This is the first such ministerial dialogue set up by China, reflecting the strategic and high-level cooperation between China and Indonesia. Last year, President Xi held two meetings with President Prabowo, and both leaders agreed to hold the first Joint Foreign and Defense Ministerial Dialogue at an early date. During the dialogue, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Minister of National Defense Dong Jun had exchanges of views with Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono and Minister of Defense Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin on topics of bilateral relationships, political security, defense cooperation, and international regional cooperation between the two countries," said Lin. "China stands ready to work with Indonesia to follow the strategic guidance of the two presidents. The two countries should better leverage the important platform of the dialogue to promote friendship, mutual trust, and strategic coordination between the two countries, and bring it to new heights," said Lin.
China-Indonesia Ministerial Dialogue to promote mutual trust, strategic coordination: 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
