Iranians rally in Tehran, protesting against US hegemony, Israeli violence

China

Iranians rally in Tehran, protesting against US hegemony, Israeli violence

2024-11-04 13:18 Last Updated At：18:47

Iranians staged a mass rally on Sunday at the premises of the former U.S. embassy, chanting slogans against the U.S. military deployment in the Middle East, its hegemony, and the Israeli violence.

The rally is to mark the 45th anniversary of the former U.S. embassy takeover in Tehran and the "National Day of the Fight against Global Arrogance", also known as the "National Student Day".

"The United States has been threatening Iran for more than 40 years and falsely claimed to provide security to the region, but it has never tried to do so. Their aim is to commit crimes and kill," said Ghiasi, an Iranian protester.

The protesters also said that with the support and connivance of the United States, Israel continues to provoke other countries, causing regional tensions to escalate. They said that Iran will resolutely safeguard its national interests and not be afraid of U.S. and Israeli threats.

"Iran is not a country that seeks war or instigates tension in the region. Iran is a country with a long history and strong strength. We will not allow countries like the United States to infringe on Iran's national interests. We will definitely resist them," said Safari, another Iranian protester.

"The United States has brought nothing good to every country it 'set foot on', such as Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and others, only leaving behind destruction and displacement. The United States has no 'good record' demonstrating its efforts to establish security. It is because that the United States has a history filled with acts of destruction, looting and pillage," said Shahram, also an Iranian protester.

A few months after the victory of Iran's Islamic Revolution in February 1979, Iranian university students took over the U.S. Embassy building, saying that the embassy was, based on the documents found in it, planning to overthrow the Islamic Republic and serving as an espionage base for the U.S. government. Iran commemorates the takeover every year by holding nationwide rallies.

Rise of fitness events in China to fuel economic growth

2024-11-05 10:26 Last Updated At：10:37

China is experiencing a surge in outdoor and sporting activities which serve as a powerful catalyst for consumption and economic growth.

In Baoding City, north China's Hebei Province, residents are flocking to a local sports center for their fitness fix. Activities such as tug-of-war, balance bike racing, and pickleball are igniting public enthusiasm for sports.

"Pickleball is such a vibrant and enjoyable sport. It allows us not only to experience the joy of sports but also to appreciate the power of teamwork. I hope there will be more events like this in the future so that pickleball can gain wider popularity in Baoding," said Guo Yingqiu, a pickleball enthusiast.

While sports focus on physical activities, they also help boost the local economy. Streets surrounding the sports center were packed with vendors selling products like table tennis rackets and snacks.

Chinese cities have also benefited from hosting sporting events. Over the past month, China hosted several international competitions, including the 2024 China Open tennis tournament in Beijing. Ticket sales exceeded 80 million yuan (over 11.3 million U.S. dollars), reflecting a 60 percent increase from the previous year.

This year's tournament also attracted more sponsorships. The 2024 Wuhan Open saw a rise in viewership and revenue, driven by an influx of out-of-town visitors. Of the 180,000 spectators, more than 44 percent traveled to Wuhan for the tournament, contributing significantly to the local economy, particularly in the food and hospitality sectors.

"Sports events are a powerful tool for fostering new types of consumption and expanding existing markets. Moving forward, we aim to develop the sports event economy by creating an ecosystem that unleashes the sector's potential and cultivates a sustainable consumer market," said Chen Jie, deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Sports.

Latest reports indicate that bookings for outdoor sports in the first half of this year surged by nearly 60 percent. With the winter sports season approaching, China anticipates further growth in the sports sector nationwide.