Xi meets Chilean president

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with visiting Chilean President Gabriel Boric in Beijing on Wednesday morning.

Xi noted that this year marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relationship between the two countries.

Fifty-five years ago, the older generation of leaders of the two countries broke through the shadow of the Cold War with a far-sighted vision, and pioneered the establishment of diplomatic relations between New China and South American countries, Xi said.

Over the past more than half a century, no matter how the international landscape has changed, the ship of China-Chile ties has continued to ride the wind and break the waves, setting the pace for the development between China and Latin American countries, Xi said.

He urged the two sides to keep enriching the contemporary connotation of their comprehensive strategic partnership, to build a model of shared development between China and Latin America and a fine example of South-South cooperation, and to jointly promote the cause of peace and progress for mankind.

Xi expressed China's willingness to work with Chile to consolidate political mutual trust, uphold mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit and win-win results, enhance exchanges of experience in governance, firmly support each other on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns, and safeguard their respective sovereignty, security and development interests.

He called for bilateral efforts to implement the cooperation plan for Belt and Road cooperation, deepen cooperation in agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry and fishery, industrial investment, infrastructure, green minerals, and foster new growth drivers in areas such as astronomy, polar research, artificial intelligence, biomedicine and digital economy.

Xi said that China supports more Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in Chile and welcomes more quality Chilean products into the Chinese market.

The Chinese president also called for closer people-to-people and cultural exchanges in education, culture, media and youth, and efforts to facilitate cross-border travel, in order to build a strong public foundation for the long-term development of bilateral ties.

At present, the international landscape is intertwined with turmoil, with rising tides of unilateralism and protectionism posing serious challenges to the global economic and trade order, he said.

As staunch defenders of multilateralism and free trade, China and Chile should step up multilateral coordination and safeguard the common interests of the Global South, Xi said.

Boric said that Chile attaches great importance to its relationship with China, noting that China has become Chile's most important trading partner, and that bilateral cooperation has benefited the people of both countries.

Vowing Chile's firm adherence to the one-China principle, he said Chile looks forward to further expanding cooperation with China in trade, investment, artificial intelligence and other fields, advancing high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, deepening people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and achieving more tangible achievements in bilateral relations, according to Boric.

All countries should uphold free trade and mutual benefit and win-win results, the Chilean president said, stressing that trade should not serve the narrow interests of a single country, and that there is no way out in waging trade wars.

He voiced Chile's willingness to work with China to firmly safeguard multilateralism and the authority of the United Nations, resolve differences through dialog, and jointly maintain international fairness and justice.

On Tuesday morning, Boric delivered a speech at the opening ceremony of the fourth ministerial meeting of the China-CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Forum. 　 Boric, who arrived in Beijing on Monday evening, is on a visit to China. During his visit, the two sides signed a number of bilateral cooperation documents in economy, publishing, inspection and quarantine, and media and think tanks.

Xi meets Chilean president

Xi meets Chilean president

Xi meets Chilean president

Xi meets Chilean president

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