Chinese FM meets Rwandan counterpart on bilateral ties

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday met with Rwandan Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Olivier Nduhungirehe in Changsha, capital city of central China's Hunan Province.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that during the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) last year, President Xi Jinping and President Paul Kagame jointly elevated the China-Rwanda relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, and the two sides issued a joint statement on promoting the implementation of the three global initiatives, providing strong strategic guidance for the development of bilateral relations.

He said that China is ready to work with Rwanda to firmly support each other, actively implement the outcomes of the FOCAC Summit, take concrete actions to deliver on the Changsha Declaration, safeguard the common interests of developing countries, defend international fairness and justice, and contribute to building an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.

Noting that modernization is not equal to Westernization, Wang said that China is ready to deepen exchanges and mutual learning with Rwanda on governance experience, and jointly explore the paths to modernization that suit their own national conditions, earn public support, and seek self-reliance and strength, so as to improve the well-being of the two peoples and advance progress of the entire world.

He also said that China supports Rwanda's efforts to accelerate the realization of its Vision 2050 and is ready to deepen practical cooperation across various fields with Rwanda, and enhance friendly exchanges at all levels and in all sectors, including between governments, political parties, legislatures, and localities.

Nduhungirehe said that over the past five decades, Rwanda and China have respected each other and maintained friendly relations, achieving positive outcomes in cooperation across various sectors, including roads, electricity, health, and education, adding that the elevation of bilateral relations during last year's Beijing summit has further benefited the Rwandan people.

Rwanda firmly abides by the one-China principle and is willing to deliver on the outcomes of the summit, especially the ten partnership actions, and jointly move towards an independent and self-reliant path to modernization, he said.

Nduhungirehe also said that Rwanda highly appreciates and actively supports the three major global initiatives put forth by President Xi, which are conducive to building a peaceful and prosperous world.

The two sides also had an exchange of views on peace and security issues in Africa.

Nduhungirehe thanked China for its active commitment to promoting talks for peace and advancing a political solution to the issue of the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Wang said that China will continue to play a constructive role in promoting peace in Eastern DRC in its own way.

Chinese FM meets Rwandan counterpart on bilateral ties

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