As a comprehensive strategic partner, China has always supported Iran's reasonable and legitimate claims and its efforts in safeguarding its own sovereignty and security, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Wednesday.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks in a phone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi.
Araghchi briefed on the situation of the first-phase memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Iran and the United States, and sincerely thanked China for its active role in promoting negotiations and reaching an agreement.
Araghchi said that the MoU should be effectively implemented, including Israel's cessation of military operations against Lebanon.
Iran has always viewed its relations with China from a strategic perspective and looks forward to enhancing mutual trust with China, deepening cooperation in various fields, and jointly promoting the two countries' comprehensive strategic partnership, Araghchi added.
Wang said China welcomes the signing of the first-phase MoU between Iran and the United States. Facts have proved that force and power cannot solve problems, and dialogue and negotiation are the correct choices, he added.
China has supported the mediation efforts of Pakistan and the international community, and has been promoting ceasefire and peace in its own way, he said.
The dawn of peace has emerged, Wang said, noting that the key to the next step is for all parties to truly implement their commitments and eliminate various distractions.
Wang said the issue of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz should be properly addressed and the common concerns of the international community should be appropriately responded to.
China supports Iran in improving relations with regional countries and exploring the joint building of a regional security framework, he said.
Wang said China is ready to strengthen communication and coordination with Iran, and while consolidating and deepening China-Iran relations, will continue to contribute to maintaining and promoting regional peace and stability.
China supports Iran's reasonable, legitimate claims: FM
China supports Iran's reasonable, legitimate claims: FM
China supports Iran's reasonable, legitimate claims: FM
Emergency measures are being put in place to help urban areas across China cope with sweltering daytime temperatures as a severe heatwave grips multiple regions of the country, with local community rest stations being set up to shield residents and provide much-needed respite to outdoor workers amid the scorching weather.
Large swathes of the country are baking as the summer heat takes hold. According to the Central Meteorological Observatory of China, eight of the top ten hottest areas nationwide on Wednesday were in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, where Turpan and Toksun both recorded temperatures above 44.5 degrees Celsius.
The intense heat is unlikely to let up anytime soon, as Hami Meteorological Station has issued a red alert and is forecasting that temperatures in Hami City will exceed 40 degrees Celsius from Wednesday to Sunday.
In an effort to combat the heatwave, the local sanitation department has deployed multiple sprinkler and spray trucks to cover major roads in downtown Hami to help with dust suppression and road surface cooling, while upping the frequency of operations.
Persistent high temperatures have also affected many areas in the southwestern Sichuan Province, with some weather stations recording maximum highs exceeding 42 degrees Celsius and weather alerts being issued in numerous cities.
In Guang'an City, the mercury had already soared to 38 degrees Celsius by 10:00 Wednesday morning, pointing to a long, hot day ahead.
However, the county has opened nearly 350 'rest stations' to help local people escape the heat. These air-conditioned cooling points, equipped with fans, drinking water, emergency medicines, and seating, provide much-needed rest areas for outdoor workers such as delivery drivers and couriers, as well as to the elderly and other passersby.
"This round of high temperatures is characterized by its long duration, high temperatures, and the oppressive, muggy conditions, impacting outdoor workers and the elderly the most," said Yu Jilin, Secretary of the Party Leadership Group at the Wusheng County Federation of Trade Unions.
In the neighboring Chongqing Municipality, a red alert for high temperatures was issued on the same day.
At the exit of a busy highway in Wuxi County, heat waves shimmered on the road surface amid heavy traffic. Police officers on duty were busy checking vehicles under the scorching sun, focusing on any potential safety hazards in passenger and freight vehicles, while enduring the sizzling weather themselves.
"The main issue is the high temperature -- surface temperatures can reach over 50 degrees Celsius. Whenever we are on duty, the exhaust from passing fuel-powered vehicles feels scorching hot against our bodies," said Lin Xianyong, an auxiliary police officer.
Air-conditioned "rest stations" set up to provide respite as scorching heatwave grips China
