China stands ready to work with the South Asian countries to strengthen cooperation in industrial and supply chains and maintain the security and smooth operation of the global industrial and supply chains, said an official of the Ministry of Commerce on Friday.
Yan Dong, China's Vice Minister of Commerce, made the statement at a press conference held in Beijing. He pointed out that cooperation could be conducted through various means, including trade, investment, and technological cooperation.
"We will hold discussions with South Asian countries on signing memorandums of cooperation in fields like trade facilitation, industrial chain, supply chain, and e-commerce. We will also make good use of the multilateral and the bilateral economic and trade cooperation mechanisms to build smooth, stable, and resilient China-South Asia industrial and supply chains along with South Asian countries in an effort to further deepen trade and investment cooperation," said Yan.
Yan added that China will continue to leverage various cooperation platforms, encouraging more Chinese companies to strengthen industrial and supply chains cooperation with South Asian countries and to promote the integrated development of trade and investment.
In providing more supporting services, China will improve its public service products like the country-specific guide for outbound investment and the trade promotion guide, and enhance the quality of its comprehensive overseas service system, said Yan.
China will hold the 9th China-South Asia Expo in Kunming, the provincial capital of southwest China's Yunnan Province, from June 19 to 24. It is one of the significant economic and trade exchange events between China and South Asian countries this year.
Co-organized by the Ministry of Commerce and the People's Government of Yunnan Province, the expo will continue with the "Solidarity and Cooperation for Common Development" theme.
China to strengthen industrial, supply chains cooperation with South Asian countries: official
China to strengthen industrial, supply chains cooperation with South Asian countries: official
China to strengthen industrial, supply chains cooperation with South Asian countries: official
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
