The mutual trust and friendship between the leaders of China and Russia have injected strong momentum into both bilateral cooperation and multilateral coordination in recent years, said a Russian official and a scholar.
President Xi Jinping arrived in Moscow on Wednesday to pay a four-day state visit to Russia at the invitation of President Vladimir Putin. Xi, along with Putin and other world leaders, attended a grand parade marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Soviet Union's Great Patriotic War in Moscow's Red Square on Friday.
Alexey Chepa, first deputy chairman of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs, said in an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN) that Xi's latest trip -- his 11th visit to Russia as Chinese president – has yielded fruitful results.
"Currently, China-Russia relations continue to deepen, yielding fruitful results. In 2025, bilateral trade is set to reach another historic high. But this is more than just a numerical breakthrough. What truly matters is the mutual trust it reflects between the two nations. The trust between the two countries' leaders has further strengthened the trust between their peoples. China and Russia have made significant progress in relations at all levels, whether in bilateral cooperation or multilateral coordination," Chepa said.
"As strategic partners, the two nations share similar values, jointly defending and striving to uphold global security. They work together to prevent the spread of terrorism and the escalation of regional tensions. All of this stems from the solid mutual trust between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin at the highest political level," he said.
Ekaterina Zaklyazminskaya, head of the center for world politics and strategic analysis under the Russian Academy of Sciences, said the head-of-state diplomacy, and their personal friendship, plays an important role in improving the bilateral ties.
"Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin have not only established a working relationship of high mutual trust and close coordination, but also forged a profound personal friendship. The two leaders cherish every meeting opportunity, engaging in in-depth exchanges on critical issues. The head-of-state diplomacy has played a pivotal role in advancing China-Russia relations, serving as the engine that continuously injects strong momentum into bilateral cooperation. We have every reason to believe this visit will elevate China-Russia relations to new historic heights," she said.
Mutual trust between leaders advances bilateral ties: Russian scholars
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
