Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called on China and Africa to enhance solidarity, jointly oppose power politics and advocate multilateralism.
Wang made the remarks when meeting with African diplomatic envoys in China on Monday 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.
Wang said the overall positioning of China-Africa relations has been upgraded to an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era, and China's relations with Africa have entered their best period in history.
"Currently Cold War mentality, hegemonism, and bullying are surging against the tide. More difficulties and challenges are arising in the process of achieving peace, development, security, and governance. China and Africa respectively represent the largest developing country and the continent having the most developing nations in the world. We are both important members of the Global South. The more turbulent and intertwined the international situation becomes, the more imperative it is for China and Africa to strengthen solidarity and cooperation. We need to jointly oppose power politics, uphold multilateralism, safeguard the UN-centered international system, and promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation," Wang said.
African diplomatic envoys said that their countries will jointly safeguard the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and defend the common interests of countries in the Global South with China.
The meeting came after May 25, which marks the 62nd "Africa Day".
China, Africa should strengthen solidarity, jointly oppose power politics: Chinese FM
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
