China and African nations marked the Africa Day together on Monday to celebrate their friendship, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said at a press briefing in Beijing on Tuesday.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, on Monday met with African diplomatic envoys in China and celebrated the Africa Day together in Beijing. Ambassadors or charge d'affaires of more than 50 African countries to China and representatives of the African Union in China attended the meeting.
"Yesterday, Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a collective meeting with diplomatic envoys from over 50 African countries to China and representatives of the African Union in China. He emphasized that China will unwaveringly prioritize strengthening solidarity and cooperation with African countries as a key direction of its foreign policy, continue to support each other on issues concerning their respective core interests and major concerns, deliver more tangible benefits to the African people, and act as the most sincere friend and the most reliable partner of African countries," said Mao.
"This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). China-Africa relations have achieved leapfrog development and entered the best period in history. At the FOCAC Beijing Summit in September last year, President Xi Jinping put forward six major proposals and 10 partnership actions for jointly advancing modernization, mapping out a new blueprint for and injecting new momentum into the high-quality development of China-Africa cooperation. In about half a month, the ministerial meeting of coordinators for the implementation of the forum outcomes will be held in Changsha City, Hunan Province. We will take this meeting as an opportunity to further step up our efforts in and strengthen our commitment to implementing the consensus reached by the leaders from both sides, so as to accelerate the advancement of the shared modernization between China and Africa," said the spokeswoman.
China, African nations mark Africa Day together to celebrate traditional friendship: FM spokeswoman
China, African nations mark Africa Day together to celebrate traditional friendship: FM spokeswoman
China, African nations mark Africa Day together to celebrate traditional friendship: FM spokeswoman
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
