Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with visiting Bolivian Foreign Minister Celinda Sosa Lunda in Beijing on Wednesday.
Sosa is in Beijing for the fourth ministerial meeting of the China-CELAC (the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Forum that opened in the Chinese capital city on Tuesday.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that China appreciates Bolivia's resolute commitments to upholding national dignity and legitimate rights and interests, undeterred by external interference.
Wang extended congratulations to Bolivia on joining BRICS as a partner country, saying that China is willing to enhance communication and cooperation with Bolivia within multilateral mechanisms. Both sides should work together to continue advancing high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, he added.
During his keynote speech at the China-CELAC Forum meeting, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced the launch of five programs to advance shared development and revitalization with Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries.
The five programs range from solidarity, development and civilization to peace and people-to-people connectivity.
Sosa said Xi's announcement of the five programs will outline the roadmap for stronger bilateral cooperation, adding that Bolivia fully agrees with the initiatives.
She said that Bolivia is a firm defender of multilateralism and the right to national self-determination, attaches great importance to BRICS cooperation, and is willing to leverage this platform to strengthen solidarity and mutual support within the Global South. She also noted that adherence to the one-China principle is Bolivia's firm position.
Chinese FM meets Bolivian counterpart
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
