Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Friday presided over a State Council executive meeting, which discussed measures aimed at stabilizing employment, boosting economic growth, and advancing high-quality development.
Businesses are encouraged to maintain stable employment and expand vocational skills training programs, while efforts should be made to stabilize foreign trade and investment and support foreign-funded enterprises in reinvesting domestically, according to the meeting.
The meeting called for boosting service consumption in sectors such as elderly care, childbearing support, culture, and tourism, and invigorating private investment, as well as continuing to stabilize the stock market and promote the steady and healthy development of the real estate market.
While highlighting the need to address public concerns, the meeting also called for efforts to crack down on illegal activities and create a safe and reassuring consumption environment.
Efforts are required to enhance the regulatory capacity at the primary level and the application of new-generation information technologies, the meeting noted.
During the meeting, a draft social assistance law was discussed and approved in principle. It will be submitted to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress for deliberation.
A revised draft of the regulations on the protection of new plant varieties was also deliberated and approved at the meeting, which noted that it is necessary to fully implement the seed industry revitalization action and promote the innovative development of the seed industry.
Chinese premier chairs State Council executive meeting
Chinese premier chairs State Council executive meeting
Chinese premier chairs State Council executive meeting
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
