A group of Kazakh children greeted visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday and delivered a special poem celebrating the friendship between the two countries, while later sharing their hopes of going on to study in China in the future.
Xi landed in the Kazakh capital city Astana earlier the same day to attend the second China-Central Asia Summit at the invitation of Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
Upon his arrival at the Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport, Xi was welcomed by Tokayev and other senior officials.
A short while later inside the airport's VIP lounge, the two heads of state enjoyed a series of cultural performances by Kazakh teenagers and children.
A group of three young Kazakhs recited a poem in the Chinese language which they had specially prepared to welcome Xi to Kazakhstan.
"China and Kazakhstan, neighbors near, like kin with mountains and rivers dear. Together we fulfill dreams of yore, with flowers of cooperation in spring's store. Our friendship binds heart to heart, and the Silk Road shines, never to part. We help each other through and through, and peace and happiness ever new," said the children as they delivered the short poem.
In an interview with the China Media Group (CMG) following their performance, the children shared their connections with China and the Chinese language, and even outlined their future aspirations.
"I have grown up in a Chinese-speaking environment, so both my studies and daily communication are conducted in Chinese. I'll soon enter the fifth grade. I want to study at the Beijing Language and Culture University. I'd like to specialize in Chinese, and in the future I hope to become a diplomat," said one of the children.
Another girl expressed her wish to study at the prestigious Peking University in Beijing, where she hopes to major in medicine and eventually become a doctor.
During his stay in Astana from Monday to Wednesday, Xi is set to hold separate meetings with the leaders of the other Central Asian countries attending the summit.
The inaugural China-Central Asia Summit was successfully held in Xi'an, the capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, in May 2023.
Kazakh children welcome Xi with poem hailing bilateral friendship
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
