China's economy has steadily forged ahead under pressure, achieved high-quality growth and fostered new growth points, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said on Friday at a regular press briefing in Beijing.
Guo made the remarks in response to a media query on recent international institutions' expectations for China's economic growth.
A World Bank report published in Beijing earlier this month said policy support has helped boost China's consumption and spurred a rise in home sales in major cities, with the economy maintaining the growth momentum in early 2025.
Not long ago, international institutions such as JPMorgan Chase and Goldman Sachs raised their expectations for China's economic growth.
"China's economy has forged steadily ahead, achieved high-quality growth and fostered new growth points amid a complex external environment, demonstrating strong resilience and potential. It is now a stabilizer for the world economy and a magnet for sharing development opportunities. In the first five months of this year, China's total imports and exports of goods increased by 2.5 percent year on year, and the total retail sales of consumer goods went up 5 percent. Shopping in China has become a buzzing trend among foreign travelers. In the first month after the policy of departure tax refunds was rolled out, application for departure tax refunds across the country surged by 116 percent year on year. Traveling to China visa free is expected to be apopular choice during the summer holiday," Guo said.
"Facts have shown that the fundamentals of China's long-term economic growth remain unchanged, the strengths of our mega-size market and complete industrial system remain unchanged, and our policy of pursuing high-quality development and high-standard opening up remains unchanged. This is the source of the world's confidence in China's growth forecast and their determination to invest in China and further explore China's market. We will remain firmly committed to opening our market wider to the world, foster new driving forces, create new opportunities, and enable the world to benefit from China's steady growth and draw impetus for common development.," said the spokesman.
China's economy forges ahead under pressure: spokesman
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
