Xi arrives in Moscow for state visit, Victory Day celebrations

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Moscow on Wednesday to begin a four-day state visit to Russia and attend the celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Soviet Union's Great Patriotic War at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Xi's plane was escorted to the Russian capital by fighter jets sent by the Russian Air Force after entering the country's airspace.

Upon his arrival at the Moscow Vnukovo Airport, Xi was greeted by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova and other senior government officials.

The Russian side held a welcome ceremony at the airport, which saw a military band play the national anthems of both China and Russia before Xi reviewed the guard of honor and watched a march-past.

Xi delivered a written statement upon his arrival, in which he extended sincere greetings and best wishes to the Russian government and people on behalf of the Chinese government and people.

Xi said China and Russia are good neighbors that cannot be moved away, true friends who share weal and woe, and good partners of mutual achievement.

The two sides have found a right path of state-to-state interactions between neighboring major countries, and have forged a spirit of strategic coordination for a new era, which features permanent good-neighborly friendship, comprehensive strategic coordination and mutually beneficial cooperation, he said.

The independent, mature and resilient bilateral relationship, Xi said, not only brings great benefits to the two peoples, but also makes important contributions to maintaining global strategic stability and promoting an equal and orderly multipolar world.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War and the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, he noted.

China and Russia, both major countries of the world and permanent members of the UN Security Council, will join hands to safeguard the victorious outcome of World War II, firmly safeguard the UN-centered international system and the international order underpinned by international law, resolutely oppose hegemonism and power politics, practice true multilateralism, and promote the building of a more just and equitable global governance system, Xi said.

Xi said that during his four-day visit, he will meet with President Putin to have in-depth communication on bilateral relations, practical cooperation as well as major international and regional issues of common concern, which will inject strong impetus into the development of the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era.

Noting that he will attend Russia's May 9th Victory Day celebrations again after a decade, Xi said he looks forward to working with leaders of other countries and the Russian people to deeply commemorate the martyrs who heroically sacrificed their lives for the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War, and send out a strong voice of the times to safeguard international fairness and justice.

Xi's entourage, including Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, and Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and foreign minister, arrived on the same plane.

China's Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui also came to the airport to greet Xi upon his arrival.

As Xi's motorcade drove from the airport to the hotel, local Russian residents, representatives of personnel from Chinese-funded enterprises in Russia, and Chinese students gathered by the roadsides, waving the national flags of China and Russia and holding red banners with messages extending a warm welcome to the Chinese president.

Xi arrives in Moscow for state visit, Victory Day celebrations

Xi arrives in Moscow for state visit, Victory Day celebrations

Xi arrives in Moscow for state visit, Victory Day celebrations

Xi arrives in Moscow for state visit, Victory Day celebrations

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