China's top legislator Zhao Leji met with Richard Rasi, chairman of the Slovak National Council, in Beijing on Monday.
Zhao, chairman of China's National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, noted that leaders of the two countries decided in Beijing last November to upgrade China-Slovakia relations to a strategic partnership.
He said China stands ready to actively implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, deepen political mutual trust, expand mutually beneficial cooperation, enhance people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and continuously enrich the connotation of the bilateral strategic partnership. It is hoped that Slovakia will continue to play an active role within the European Union (EU) and promote the healthy and stable development of China-EU relations, Zhao said, adding that the NPC of China is willing to work with the Slovak National Council to give full play to the role of the legislative organs, deepen the exchange of experience in legislation and supervision, and create a favorable legal environment for practical cooperation between the two countries.
Rasi said that Slovakia firmly adheres to the one-China principle and is willing to strengthen cooperation with China in various fields such as economy, trade and culture.
He added that the Slovak National Council is willing to deepen exchanges with the NPC of China, and promote the development of the strategic partnership between the two countries to a higher level.
China's top legislator meets Slovak National Council chairman
Some Iranians in Türkiye are crossing back over the border, driven by worry and desperation, as a nationwide communications blackout in Iran has left them cut off from their loved ones.
Protests have erupted in many Iranian cities since Dec. 28. They initially began with Tehran bazaar merchants demonstrating against the sharp devaluation of the national currency rial, and soaring inflation, before spreading to other cities. The unrest has led to casualties among both security forces and civilians.
At the Turkish-Iranian border, many are returning with no certainty about what awaits them, filled instead with questions and growing fear for those on the other side of the border.
"I went to Van yesterday for internet. I urgently needed to use the internet. I got it done. Now I'm heading straight back. There are protests everywhere. We can't get any news. We can't communicate with our families. And it's not just me, there are many Iranians outside the country who can't reach their families," said Feriste, an Iranian citizen.
With communications blacked out across Iran, those outside the country feel powerless to check on the situation back home. For some, this silence has prompted them to return across the border, even as tensions continue to rise.
"We can't get any news. There is no internet. Everything is shut down. I want to search. I want to find out. I want to see my brother. I'm going to see my family," said Husnu, an Iranian citizen.
"I work in Türkiye, and I have no news from Iran at all. I'm going back because I'm worried about my family. It's been days since I last heard from them, and because I'm worried, I'm returning to Iran now. Of course, we are concerned about our safety. We don't know what awaits us there," said another Iranian.
With protests escalating and government blackouts still in place, many Iranians are caught between staying in safety abroad and risking everything to reconnect with their families.
"We had to come to Türkiye because we couldn't reach our families. Schools were closed already. All official institutions were shut down. We have no information about other cities either, because there is no communication network there. There is no television, no internet. We can't even check Twitter," said Nazlican, another Iranian citizen.
Iranians in Türkiye return home, fearing for their families amid unrest in Iran
Iranians in Türkiye return home, fearing for their families amid unrest in Iran
