Chinese FM holds talks with Danish counterpart on relations

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with his Danish counterpart Lars Lokke Rasmussen in Beijing on Monday to discuss relations between their two countries.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that over the past 75 years since China and Denmark established diplomatic relations, the two countries have always respected each other and treated each other as equals, developed a comprehensive strategic partnership, and fostered high-level mutually beneficial cooperation led by green development.

He said the two countries should take the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between them this year as an opportunity to maintain high-level exchanges, strengthen political mutual trust, and push for greater development of China-Denmark relations.

The most important experience from the healthy and steady development of China-Denmark ties over the past 75 years is that the two countries have consistently treated each other as equals regardless of their size, respecting and accommodating each other's core interests, Wang said, calling for joint efforts to consolidate the political foundation of bilateral relations.

China fully respects Denmark's sovereignty and territorial integrity regarding the Greenland issue and hopes that Denmark will continue to support China's legitimate position on issues concerning China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, he said.

China is ready to work with Denmark to uphold two-way opening up, take green development as a key focus to inject new impetus into practical cooperation, and continuously deepen bilateral collaboration in economy and trade, scientific research and innovation, green economy and other fields, Wang said.

China is committed to expanding high-level opening up to the rest of the world and create broader development space for foreign-funded enterprises. The country welcomes Danish companies to invest and start up businesses in China and hopes that Denmark can provide a fair, transparent and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises, he continued.

He called for efforts of both sides to enhance people-to-people and cultural exchanges to continuously accumulate positive energy for the development of bilateral relations.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the European Union (EU), Wang said, noting that China-EU ties have been steadily turning for the better since the beginning of the year.

He recalled that the leaderships of the two sides have reaffirmed the political consensus for the advancement of China-EU ties in their earlier exchanges of congratulations on the anniversary.

Noting that Denmark will assume the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second half of the year, Wang said China stands ready to enhance dialogue and cooperation with the EU to jointly promote sound development of bilateral relations, and expressed the hope that Denmark will play an active role in this regard.

The current international situation is undergoing drastic changes, severely impacting the post-WWII international system and pushing global governance to a new crossroads. China and Denmark have reached broad consensus on upholding multilateralism, defending free trade, and meeting other common challenges since Denmark assumed its role as a new non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, Wang said.

China is willing to enhance coordination and cooperation with European countries including Denmark, jointly safeguard the international system with the UN at its core and the multilateral trading mechanism with the World Trade Organization at its center, and contribute to world peace, stability, development and prosperity, he said.

For his part, Rasmussen said that the Danish government and parliament are firmly committed to the one-China policy.

Denmark is willing to strengthen high-level exchanges with China, enhance dialogue and mutual understanding in various fields, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in such sectors as investment and green transformation, and intensify people-to-people and cultural exchanges, so as to promote sustained and vigorous development of bilateral relations, he said.

Rasmussen said Denmark is open to Chinese companies' investment in Denmark and Danish enterprises are also willing to make long-term investment and take deep roots in the Chinese market.

Denmark is ready to play its role in promoting healthy development of EU-China relations, he said.

He said Denmark firmly supports free trade, opposes decoupling, and believes that trade wars are not in the interest of any party.

Denmark looks forward to strengthening communication and coordination on multilateral affairs with China, jointly safeguarding the multilateral system and international order, and sustaining the advancement of globalization, Rasmussen said.

The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues including the Ukraine crisis.

After the talks, two sides exchanged copies of the front page of the Chinese People's Daily newspaper running the first report on the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Denmark, copies of diplomatic notes on Denmark's recognition of the People's Republic of China, and commemorative envelopes marking the 75 anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Rasmussen is on an official visit to China from May 17 to 20 at the invitation of Wang.

Chinese FM holds talks with Danish counterpart on relations

Chinese FM meets visiting Danish counterpart

Chinese FM meets visiting Danish counterpart

Chinese FM meets visiting Danish counterpart

Chinese FM meets visiting Danish 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