Chinese FM meets his Nigerian counterpart

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday met with Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, who came to China for the Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators on the Implementation of the Follow-up Actions of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Changsha, capital city of central China's Hunan Province.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said that China and Nigeria are both major developing countries, representatives of emerging economies and important members of the Global South.

Under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China-Nigeria relations have gone beyond the bilateral scope and are gaining increasing global significance, and the foreign ministers of the two countries have met three times this year, said Wang.

Wang also said that China is willing to maintain frequent communication with Nigeria, strengthen strategic coordination, and continuously elevate the China-Nigeria comprehensive strategic partnership to new levels.

The two sides should also work hand in hand and shoulder their responsibilities together, enhancing solidarity and cooperation among the Global South within the framework of the FOCAC and jointly safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries, Wang said.

China appreciates Nigeria's support for China in safeguarding core interests and will likewise support Nigeria in safeguarding its legitimate rights and interests, said Wang.

Wang added that China is ready to enhance all-round exchanges with Nigeria and deepen the sharing of governance experience.

With highly complementary economies, China and Nigeria enjoy broad prospects for mutually beneficial cooperation. China is ready to work with Nigeria to negotiate and sign the agreement on economic partnership for shared development to make full use of the zero-tariff policy, share development opportunities, and achieve common revitalization, Wang said.

Tuggar said that the diplomatic philosophies of Nigeria and China are highly consistent.

Nigeria fully agrees with the diplomatic principles advocated by China and is pleased to be a member of the International Organization for Mediation, said Tuggar, adding that Nigeria will continue to firmly defend multilateralism and is committed to the peaceful settlement of disputes.

Fruitful outcomes have been achieved in Nigeria-China relations, and Nigeria is willing to further deepen cooperation in various fields with China and work for greater progress in the Nigeria-China comprehensive strategic partnership, said Tuggar.

Chinese FM meets his Nigerian counterpart

Chinese FM meets his Nigerian counterpart

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