Senior military officials from China and Indonesia agreed on Tuesday to enhance military-to-military cooperation between the two countries, in order to jointly safeguard regional security and stability.
Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, met with visiting Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin in Beijing on Tuesday. Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun held talks with his Indonesian counterpart on the same day.
During his meeting with Sjafrie, Zhang said that under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, the building of a China-Indonesia community with a shared future is advancing steadily, setting a model for South-South cooperation and mutual benefit.
China stands ready to work with Indonesia to explore new areas of cooperation, enhance the momentum of collaboration, and elevate mil-to-mil relations to jointly safeguard regional security and stability, Zhang said.
Sjafrie said that Indonesia is committed to working with China to act on the two heads of state's important common understandings, deepen strategic mutual trust and enhance practical cooperation between the two armies.
During the talks with Sjafrie, Dong said that the momentum of relations between the two armies has been strong, with new opportunities arising.
He urged both sides to seize opportunities to elevate cooperation, launch forward-looking, exemplary, and pioneering projects and brands, and create a favorable environment for the mutual development of both countries and other countries in the region.
Sjafrie expressed Indonesia's willingness to strengthen both bilateral and multilateral cooperation with China, further enhance mil-to-mil relations and continuously improve cooperation in defense and security.
Prior to the talks, Dong held a welcome ceremony for Sjafrie and accompanied him in reviewing the guard of honor of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA).
China, Indonesia to deepen mil-to-mil cooperation
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
