China says it ‘stands firmly against external interference’ in Iran amid protests

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) — China on Monday said it opposes any external interference in Iran as the country faces more than a week of protests that have spread nationwide and resulted in reported casualties.

“China hopes the Iranian government and people can overcome current difficulties to maintain national stability,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told reporters in Beijing.

He added that Beijing “stands firmly against external interference in the internal affairs of Iran.”

“We call on all parties to do more things for peace and stability in the Middle East,” Lin said, stressing that China will work to “uphold UN Charter and international fairness and justice.”

Lin added that “China upholds the foreign policy of partnership and not alliance,” referring to Iran and China’s 25-year Comprehensive Strategic Partnership agreement signed in 2021.

Protests in Iran have entered their eighth consecutive day and have spread to at least 222 locations in 78 cities, triggered by worsening economic conditions, according to the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA).

Demonstrations were reported in 26 provinces, including street protests, labor strikes, and university-led actions, the agency said. HRANA was established in 2009 by Iranian human rights advocates.

Seventeen universities have been involved in the protest wave, which has continued despite heightened security deployments and efforts to suppress gatherings, according to the report.

At least 20 people have been killed during the unrest, including a member of law enforcement-security forces, HRANA said.

At least 51 others were injured, most of them by pellets and plastic bullets fired by security forces, the report added.

Those killed include students, laborers, and civilians aged between 16 and 45.