China hopes U.S. will abide by market economy rules: spokesman

China hopes that the U.S. will abide by the rules of market economy, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian on Friday.

Lin made the remarks answering a media inquiry on the U.S. Commerce Department's statement that it would pose preliminary anti-dumping taxes of over 90 percent on a kind of graphite imported from China, which is widely used for a key part for electric vehicles.

"I’d refer you to the competent authorities for your specific question. Let me say that China-U.S. economic ties benefit both sides. We hope the U.S. side will abide by the rules of market economy and keeping China-U.S. trade and economic ties sound and stable," Lin said.

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.