The 9th China-South Asia Expo concluded on Tuesday with 153 signed foreign trade contracts worth 8.479 billion yuan (about 1.18 billion U.S. dollars).
Held in Kunming, capital city of south China's Yunnan Province, the six-day expo attracted participants from 73 countries, regions, and international organizations, with Sri Lanka serving as the theme country and Thailand as the special partner nation. It also drew more than 2,500 enterprises, up 14.7 percent from the previous edition.
"We have about 91 companies coming from Sri Lanka, including [those] doing tea, handicraft, and clothes, and also some spice products. So this time is really good opportunity for Sri Lanka," said an exhibitor from Sri Lanka.
With the theme "Solidarity and Coordination for Common Development," the expo had 16 exhibition halls, with the hall for manufacturing sector bringing together a number of high-tech enterprises from across China to display their latest technologies in low-altitude economy, rare and precious metals, and intelligent manufacturing.
Products from China's manufacturing sector captured strong interest among international attendees.
"We are here mainly to learn about local industries, particularly the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical sectors. We hope this can support industrial upgrading in Malaysia," said a Malaysian buyer.
The expo also featured a dedicated hall for the first time to showcase Yunnan's residential tourism industry. This exhibition highlighted the latest development trends and innovative product models in the province's industries that support a lifestyle blending travel and living.
9th China-South Asia Expo concludes
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
