Experts anticipate closer cooperation between China and Russia after the two heads of state signed a joint statement to deepen bilateral ties.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday signed a joint statement on further deepening the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era.
China and Russia are each other's important trade partner, and the two sides agree that the bilateral mutually beneficial cooperation has strongly contributed to the improvement of the well-being of the two peoples, the statement said.
In efforts to further enhance the cooperation, China and Russia agree to push for a stable expansion of two-way trade with an optimized structure through lifting the share of high-tech products and fostering innovative forms of e-commerce, among other efforts.
Xi arrived in Moscow on Wednesday for a state visit to Russia, where he is attending celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Soviet Union's Great Patriotic War, at Putin's invitation.
Vladimir Zakharov, former deputy secretary-general of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), praised the joint statement and emphasized the potential for expanding bilateral cooperation into broader areas, including the technology sector.
"We need to open the Russian market more widely -- not just in the energy and resources sectors, but also in technology. I hope both sides can pursue mutually beneficial cooperation. China is sharing its world-class innovative technologies with the world," said Vladimir Zakharov.
Mikhail Goryanoy, chairman of the Council of Russian Entrepreneurs of Northern China, emphasized the exemplary cooperation between China and Russia within multilateral platforms, such as the BRICS mechanism.
"The integration of cooperation, this is the key to success, this is a sustainable future plan, so not division, and not putting one above another. This is exactly why all the other BRICS countries are invited and introduced into various programs where they can participate. The foundation of this groundwork has been laid exactly by China and Russia as an example of two countries cooperating on so many various levels," he said.
China is Russia's largest trading partner, with a volume of more than 200 billion U.S. dollars last year.
Experts anticipate strengthened China-Russia cooperation following joint statement
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
