The Belt and Road Initiative is of great benefit to Myanmar's national development and to promoting cooperation between Myanmar and China, said Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing on Wednesday.
In an interview with the China Media Group in Beijing during his five-day state visit to China which ended on Friday, the president said through the joint construction of the Belt and Road, cooperation between the two countries is deepening in many fields.
"Myanmar is one of the countries participating in the co-construction of the Belt and Road, which aims to promote global prosperity and development. The Myanmar-China Economic Corridor works within this framework and offers numerous benefits to Myanmar's national development and the promotion of cooperation between Myanmar and China. It contributes to Myanmar's development and allows us to become a gateway connecting the world. Therefore, I want to say that the Belt and Road Initiative is excellent. Myanmar and I are working together to fulfill these projects," he said.
Myanmar seeks deeper cooperation with China under BRI: president
Burdened by U.S. travel bans, visa denials and regional conflict, Iran's national team has overcome extraordinary off-field hurdles to compete at the ongoing FIFA World Cup.
Iran's preparations shifted from the U.S. state of Arizona to Tijuana, Mexico just weeks before kickoff. The team is now restricted to entering the U.S. only within 24 hours of a match and must depart immediately, a logistical strain compounded by the suspension of their domestic league due to war.
The friction peaked when several staff members were denied U.S. visas ahead of the opener against New Zealand in Los Angeles on Monday, forcing the team to exit the country almost immediately after the match.
That led to head coach Amir Ghalenoei saying Iran was "the most oppressed" at the World Cup.
"I think FIFA should be more fair to them. This is so difficult. Difficult for them, the transportation is super difficult for them. Going from here, getting visas to go to the United State is very, very difficult for them," said Jalal Tabatabaei, a person familiar with the national team.
Iran's top-tier football competition, the Persian Gulf Pro League, was indefinitely suspended on Feb 28, 2026, following the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran.
Despite the geopolitical friction, Iran has enjoyed robust backing on the ground in Tijuana. Local fans packed the stands to cheer the team on, rallying behind them as they battled to a spirited 2-2 draw with New Zealand.
Next, they will face group favorites Belgium, and then play their final group stage match against a strong Egyptian team, but their fans remain confident.
"The players have a lot of personality. They can do it. I assume they can do it. It's a tough group. A tough situation with FIFA. It's not fair in my opinion. But otherwise, they have to do the best they can. They are fighting for their country. You can see it on the pitch very well," said an Iranian football fan.
This year's expanded World Cup features a record field of 48 teams and, for the first time, will be co-hosted by three nations. The tournament will run through July 19, with matches staged across Mexico, Canada, and the United States.
Geopolitical strains test Iran's path at FIFA World Cup
