China, CEE countries to tap deeper into investment cooperation potential in digital technology, AI: official

China and the Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries will tap deeper into the investment cooperation potential in emerging sectors such as digital technology, green transformation and artificial intelligence, an official from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said on Friday. Speaking at a press conference in Beijing, Yu Yuantang, director of the European Department of the Ministry of Commerce, said that China will enhance communication and exchanges with CEE countries to promote economic growth, expand imports from the region, and advance cooperation in digital and green investment.

Yu said that China is ready to work with CEE countries to explore investment opportunities in emerging sectors such as digital technology, green transformation and artificial intelligence, and will continue to encourage capable and willing enterprises to invest in the region based on market-oriented principles.

"Last month, the Ministry of Commerce held a trade and investment matchmaking event between the two countries in Hungary, resulting in fruitful economic and trade cooperation outcomes. We will continue to organize economic and trade promotion delegations to hold similar matchmaking activities in CEE countries. We welcome more enterprises from CEE countries to come to China to participate in key exhibitions such as the China International Import Expo (CIIE), the China International Consumer Products Expo and the China-Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC) Expo and the International Consumer Goods Fair. We also encourage them to make full use of new formats such as cross-border e-commerce to enhance the visibility of CEE products in China and to expand their sales channels," said Yu.

China, CEE countries to tap deeper into investment cooperation potential in digital technology, AI: official

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned on Sunday that Tehran would view the United States and Israel's military bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" should Washington take military action against Iran.

At a parliamentary session convened to review an emergency proposal on assembly regulations, Qalibaf emphasized that, at this highly sensitive juncture, Iran must accurately and thoroughly identify the schemes of its adversaries.

Qalibaf said that Iran is currently confronting Israel and the United States simultaneously on four fronts: economic, cognitive, military, and counterterrorism. Of them, the economic warfare and the cognitive and psychological warfare began many years ago and have persisted to this day, growing increasingly complex and intense in recent years.

The remarks came as U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran, taking advantage of its nationwide unrest.

Protests have erupted in several Iranian cities since late December over the sharp fall of the rial and long-standing economic hardship. Iranian authorities have acknowledged the demonstrations and voiced willingness to address economic grievances, while warning against violence and vandalism.

Amid the ongoing protests, deadly clashes have been reported lately between police and what the government described as "rioters." However, no official death toll has been released.

Also on Sunday, Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian will address the country's economic situation and political environment in a televised interview later that day.

Iran swears to counterattack if attacked