China-Africa, China-Arab ties achieve leapfrog development: spokesman

China-Africa and China-Arab relations have achieved leapfrog development in the new era, setting fine examples for building a community with a shared future for humanity, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said at a press briefing in Beijing on Thursday.

Lin made the remarks when asked about a seminar held in Beijing on Wednesday marking the 70th anniversary of both China-Africa and China-Arab ties.

"This year marks the 70th anniversary of China-Africa and China-Arab diplomatic relations. Seven decades ago, the People's Republic of China established diplomatic ties with Egypt, starting the new chapter of developing China-Africa and China-Arab relations. In the new era, under the guidance of President Xi Jinping and leaders of African and Arab nations, the relations between China and these nations have grown by leaps and bounds and entered the best time in history, setting fine examples of building a community with a shared future for humanity," Lin said.

"China successfully hosted the Seminar on 70 Years of China-Africa and China-Arab Diplomatic Relations: Jointly Building a Community with a Shared Future in Beijing yesterday. Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Miao Deyu attended and addressed the opening ceremony, which was attended by around 200 diplomatic envoys, experts and scholars from African and Arab nations online or offline. They took stock of cooperation results over the past seven decades and discussed future plans. African and Arab representatives agreed that both African and Arab countries are China's good brothers, good friends and good partners sharing weal and woe with a common pursuit," he said.

China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) provides vast opportunities for deepening China-Africa and China-Arab cooperation, the spokesman noted.

"China will step up cooperation with African and Arab countries to compose the symphony of solidarity among Global South countries in the effort of development and revitalization and work relentlessly in building a community with a shared future for humanity," Lin said.

China-Africa, China-Arab ties achieve leapfrog development: spokesman

Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said on Thursday that despite having a different view, he granted the permission for signing a peace memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Tehran and Washington.

He made the remarks in a message addressed to Iran's people, which was carried by Iranian media, hours after Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and his U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump, signed the MoU on ending the war.

Khamenei said the officials in charge made extensive efforts out of "sincere concern and goodwill" in the course of reaching this stage, adding, "Of course, it was the American president who, out of desperation, used all kinds of leverages to bring this about."

He stressed, "I, as a matter of principle, hold a different view; However, out of the commitment that the esteemed president -- as the head of the Supreme National Security Council -- gave to me on his own behalf and on behalf of the other members regarding the safeguarding of the rights of the lranian nation and the Resistance Front, and his explicit acceptance of that responsibility, I granted my permission."

Khamenei added that Pezeshkian and other SNSC members had also stated that if the United States seeks to make "excessive demands," they will not submit to them.

He emphasized that from this moment on, he and the "proud" Iranian nation will wait for the realization of the conditions set by Iran under the MoU, noting, however, that "the in-person negotiations that will take place in the future will not mean acceptance of the enemy's position."

Iran, the United States and Pakistan early Monday announced the finalization of the MoU to end the war on all fronts, including Lebanon. The Iranian and U.S. presidents signed the MoU electronically early Thursday.

On Feb. 28, Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and other Iranian cities. Iran responded with waves of missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and U.S. bases and assets in the region.

Iran's supreme leader says granted permission for MoU with U.S. despite having different view