China has been vigorously promoting maritime security cooperation in the Asia-Pacific with concrete actions, said Hu Gangfeng, a senior officer of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), at a special forum of the 22nd Shangri-La Dialog in Singapore on Saturday.
Hu, vice president of the National Defense University of the PLA and head of its delegation, attended the Asia Pacific Regional Security Assessment 2025 and elaborated on China's perspectives.
Hu said that China started its development in the Asia-Pacific, benefits from it, and contributes to it. China has always upheld the concept of a maritime community with a shared future and has been actively advancing regional cooperative maritime security with concrete actions.
"China will uphold President Xi's three global initiatives, actively practice the concept of a maritime community with a shared future, and cooperatively endeavor to create a sea of peace, friendship, and cooperation in the Asia-Pacific. Our proposals are as follows: first, uphold true multilateralism to maintain maritime security order in the Asia-Pacific, second, pursue sincere dialog and consultation to promote lasting maritime peace in the region, and third, adhere to equal exchanges and mutual learning to build a shared maritime future for the Asia-Pacific," Hu said.
The 22nd edition of the Shangri-La Dialog, Asia's premier defense and security summit hosted by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), is held from Friday to Sunday and includes seven plenary sessions, two ministerial roundtables, and three special forums.
The discussions cover a range of topics, including maritime security cooperation in the Asia-Pacific, addressing nuclear proliferation risks in the region, and tackling challenges in cybersecurity, undersea defense, and outer space security.
China actively promotes Asia-Pacific maritime security cooperation: officer
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
