China is accelerating the opening up of its telecommunications sector, including measures to remove restrictions of foreign investment's shareholding on information services, amid its broader efforts to open up its services sector, an official with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) said on Monday.
Xie Cun, director of the MIIT's bureau for information and communications development, spoke at a press conference held in Beijing on the recently released work plan that aims to expand the nation's comprehensive pilot programs to more cities to accelerate the opening up of the services sector.
He said the plan removes the foreign investment shareholding restrictions in businesses such as internet access services and information services. It also opens up domestic internet virtual private network (VPN) services to foreign investment and is drawing support for further expanding the opening up of value-added telecommunications services in cities like Tianjin and Shanghai.
"The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has also proposed opening-up initiatives in areas such as the construction of computing power centers, the opening up of software and information services industries, and other service sectors, supporting innovative exploration. It is also promoting the implementation of relevant opening-up policies in the telecommunications sector," said Xie.
China lifts restrictions of foreign investment's shareholding in information service business
China lifts restrictions of foreign investment's shareholding in information service business
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
