Premier Li Qiang said on Thursday that China's economy will remain a thriving land in the global economy, and the expansion and upgrading of the massive Chinese market will keep generating significant dividends, offering greater trade and investment opportunities for other countries.
Delivering a speech at the opening ceremony of the 10th Annual Meeting of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) Board of Governors, Li said China will continuously and deeply integrate itself into the global economy to bring fresh development opportunities to other countries.
China stands ready to work with all other parties to jointly support the AIIB's development for another 10 years, said the premier.
He said that over the past decade, the AIIB's membership has expanded from 57 to 110 and set a new example for multilateral cooperation.
Li expressed his hope that the AIIB will increase support for its members' development capacity as the world economic growth faces difficulties.
Then he hoped that the bank will work to enhance international dialog, exchanges and coordination at a time when the global economic and trade landscape is undergoing transformation.
Li also hoped the AIIB will play a better role as a new type of multilateral platform in tackling global governance challenges.
Around 2,500 people, including the AIIB's outgoing president Jin Liqun and the board of governors of AIIB members, heads of major global multilateral and bilateral development institutions, financial institutions and private sectors, and representatives of non-governmental organizations, were present at the opening ceremony.
China remains "thriving land" in global economy: Premier Li
China remains "thriving land" in global economy: Premier Li
China remains "thriving land" in global economy: Premier Li
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
