China is willing to enhance exchanges and deepen pragmatic cooperation with the new government of Singapore, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Tuesday, in comment on the recent general election success by Singapore's ruling People's Action Party (PAP).
"We've noticed that the People's Action Party led by Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong won the general election, and China congratulates the party on its victory. This year marks the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Singapore, and China attaches great importance to the development of bilateral ties. China is willing to work with Singapore's new government to enhance communication and exchanges and deepen pragmatic cooperation between the two countries, to keep bringing the China-Singapore all-round high-quality future-oriented partnership to new heights," said Lin Jian, the spokesman, at a press conference in Beijing.
Singapore's ruling PAP has secured a simple majority in Saturday's general election, as Returning Officer Han Kok Juan announces results constituency by constituency early Sunday.
A total of 209 candidates from 11 political parties and coalitions, along with two independents, contested 97 elected seats in the parliament.
This election marks the first time Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has led the PAP into a general election, after succeeding Lee Hsien Loong in May 2024, following Lee's two-decade tenure.
China willing to enhance cooperation with Singapore's new government: 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
