China to boost trade, investment with Ethiopia under BRI: Premier Li

China stands ready to work with Ethiopia to promote the sustainable development of the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway, a flagship project of the high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and expand bilateral trade and investment, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday.

Li made the remarks during his meeting with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Ethiopia 55 years ago, the two countries have always treated each other sincerely and supported each other no matter how the international situation has changed, Li noted. The cooperation between the two sides has long been at the forefront of China-Africa cooperation, he added.

Li said Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators on the Implementation of the Follow-up Actions of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in June, announcing new important measures such as implementing the zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines for 53 African countries which have diplomatic relations with China.

China will take the new measures as opportunities to work with Ethiopia to fully deliver the outcomes of the Beijing Summit of the FOCAC, he said.

The Chinese premier called for deepening bilateral all-around cooperation and making bilateral relations a model for building the all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.

China will, as always, support Ethiopia in independently exploring a development path suited to its national conditions, work with Ethiopia to deepen cooperation in infrastructure, new energy vehicles, green industries, e-commerce and artificial intelligence, and intensify exchanges in tourism, youth, education and other fields, Li said.

Noting that both China and Ethiopia are important Global South countries, Li said China will join hands with Ethiopia to strengthen communication and coordination within multilateral frameworks like the United Nations and BRICS, boost concerted efforts by all parties to practice true multilateralism, firmly safeguard economic globalization and free trade, and inject more stability and positive energy into the world.

For his part, Abiy said Ethiopia and China are reliable all-weather strategic partners, and his country sincerely appreciates China for its long-standing support and assistance in Ethiopia's economic and social development.

Ethiopia also highly values China's efforts to implement the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit, he added.

Noting that China plays a very important role in international affairs, especially in the cause of global development, Abiy said Ethiopia stands ready to intensify high-level exchanges with China and deepen mutual political trust.

The Ethiopian side looks to work with China to bolster cooperation in economy and trade, industry, mining, communications, artificial intelligence, infrastructure, tourism and other areas, and strengthen multilateral communication and coordination, so as to promote the steady and in-depth development of bilateral relations.

The Chinese premier arrived in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday to attend the 17th BRICS Summit.

China to boost trade, investment with Ethiopia under BRI: Premier Li

China to boost trade, investment with Ethiopia under BRI: Premier Li

China to boost trade, investment with Ethiopia under BRI: Premier Li

China to boost trade, investment with Ethiopia under BRI: Premier Li

China to boost trade, investment with Ethiopia under BRI: 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