Pan Gongsheng, Governor of the People's Bank of China (PBOC), met with Gabriel Galipolo, Governor of the Central Bank of Brazil, on Saturday, according to a PBOC press release.
Both sides highly commended the positive progress made in bilateral cooperation, such as local currency swap, financial markets investment, cross-border payments and development financing.
They agreed to continue to implement their cooperation documents including the Memorandum of Understanding on Financial Strategic Cooperation and the Bilateral Currency Swap Agreement to push forward the financial cooperation between the two nations.
The PBOC alos noted that the China-Brazil Cooperation Fund for the Expansion of Production Capacity for Sustainable Development (China-Brazil Fund) has recently held its second Committee Meeting, published the second batch of deliverable projects, and actively explored ways to expand future cooperation.
Going forward, China and Brazil will continue to engage and collaborate under the China-Brazil Fund, provide financial support for projects of common interest, and contribute to the financial strategic cooperation between the two countries, the PBOC said.
China, Brazil make progress in financial strategic cooperation
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned on Sunday that Tehran would view the United States and Israel's military bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" should Washington take military action against Iran.
At a parliamentary session convened to review an emergency proposal on assembly regulations, Qalibaf emphasized that, at this highly sensitive juncture, Iran must accurately and thoroughly identify the schemes of its adversaries.
Qalibaf said that Iran is currently confronting Israel and the United States simultaneously on four fronts: economic, cognitive, military, and counterterrorism. Of them, the economic warfare and the cognitive and psychological warfare began many years ago and have persisted to this day, growing increasingly complex and intense in recent years.
The remarks came as U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran, taking advantage of its nationwide unrest.
Protests have erupted in several Iranian cities since late December over the sharp fall of the rial and long-standing economic hardship. Iranian authorities have acknowledged the demonstrations and voiced willingness to address economic grievances, while warning against violence and vandalism.
Amid the ongoing protests, deadly clashes have been reported lately between police and what the government described as "rioters." However, no official death toll has been released.
Also on Sunday, Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian will address the country's economic situation and political environment in a televised interview later that day.
Iran swears to counterattack if attacked
