Senior Chinese official Li Shulei has called for strengthened cooperation with Egypt in culture, tourism, media, publishing, and think tanks, urging efforts to make China-Egypt cooperation a model of exchange and mutual learning between civilizations.
Li, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks during his visit to Egypt from Saturday to Tuesday.
He noted that both China and Egypt are ancient civilizations and the friendship between the two peoples has a long history, adding that the China-Egypt comprehensive strategic partnership has flourished under the strategic guidance of the two countries' leaders.
China is ready to work with Egypt to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, consolidate high-level political mutual trust, promote high-quality cooperation, and enhance coordination on international and regional affairs, Li said.
He also noted China is willing to join hands with the Arab League to carry forward the spirit of China-Arab friendship and continue to advance the "leapfrog development" of China-Arab relations.
During his visit to Egypt, Li met with Speaker of the Egyptian House of Representatives Hanafy Ali Gebaly, Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, and Ahmed Saad El-Din Mohamed Abd El-Rehim, leader of the Nation's Future Party of Egypt and first deputy speaker of the Egyptian House of Representatives. Li also met with Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit.
During the meetings, Egyptian officials said that China is the sincerest friend and partner of Egypt and other African countries, expressing gratitude for China's long-standing support. They said Egypt firmly upholds the one-China principle and strongly supports China in achieving national reunification.
Egypt is willing to strengthen the alignment of its development strategies with China, expand practical cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, new energy, and high technology, enhance dialogue between civilizations and people-to-people exchanges, and deepen coordination and collaboration in multilateral settings, so as to benefit both countries and their peoples and safeguard the common interests of developing nations, the officials said. Aboul-Gheit said that the Arab League is willing to play an active role in ensuring the successful hosting of the second China-Arab States Summit and in promoting the building of an Arab-China community with a shared future.
Senior Chinese official calls for strengthened cooperation with Egypt
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
