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China-LAC countries to deepen cooperation amid global uncertainties: spokesman

China

China-LAC countries to deepen cooperation amid global uncertainties: spokesman
China

China

China-LAC countries to deepen cooperation amid global uncertainties: spokesman

2025-05-14 17:54 Last Updated At:21:27

China and Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries will deepen cooperation amid global uncertainties, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian at a press briefing in Beijing on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, China and LAC countries held the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC (the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Forum in Beijing.

"Twenty-eight LAC countries, six regional organizations and over 50 ministerial officials attended the meeting in China. The meeting adopted the Beijing Declaration and the China-CELAC Joint Action Plan for Cooperation in Key Areas (2025-2027), and also reached more than 100 three-year cooperation projects. China announced 20 measures in supporting LAC countries' development," said Lin.

On the 10th anniversary of the official launch of the China-CELAC Forum, this meeting has sent the voice of China and CELAC jointly meeting challenges through solidarity and coordination, he noted.

"The biggest highlight of this meeting is that President Xi Jinping systematically summarized the successful experiences of the development of China-LAC relations. He announced the launch of five programs which are Solidarity Program, Development Program, Civilization Program, Peace Program and People-to-People Program. The five programs will further consolidate political foundation, promote common prosperity, deepen mutual learning between civilizations, promote regional stability and people-to-people friendship which points out the direction for the building of a China-LAC community with a shared future," said Lin.

"The following important common understandings were reached at the meeting: The China-CELAC Forum was a success over the past decade, and the two sides will expand the areas and improve the quality of cooperation; China and LAC countries share a common future in development, and the two sides will stand firmly together through thick and thin, and resist external disturbances; China-LAC solidarity goes with the trend of the times, and the two sides, as important members of the Global South and important forces promoting multipolarity and greater democracy in international relations, will enhance solidarity and cooperation and jointly address transformation and instability in the world; China-LAC cooperation enjoys promising prospects, as the two sides combined create a mega-sized market with a population of 2 billion, and this will provide new driving forces and new opportunities for the growth of both sides and the wider world. China-LAC cooperation is not afraid of wind and rain, and transcends mountains and oceans over the distance of half a globe," he continued.

"China will deliver on the initiatives announced by President Xi Jinping, and work with LAC countries to continue to support each other on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns, jointly implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, uphold the multilateral trading system and an environment for open cooperation, and defend international fairness and justice as well as world peace and stability," said the spokesman. Lin said as the two sides address risks and challenges in solidarity and coordination, and pursue development and prosperity through mutually beneficial cooperation, the China-CELAC Forum will head firmly towards the next golden decade, and open up a new chapter of the Global South seeking strength through unity and building a community with a shared future for mankind.

China-LAC countries to deepen cooperation amid global uncertainties: spokesman

China-LAC countries to deepen cooperation amid global uncertainties: spokesman

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

Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests

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