Cementing ties

China and Iran committed to deepening political, economic unity in the new era

BEIJING: No matter how the international and regional situation changes, China will unswervingly maintain its friendship and cooperation with Iran and advance China-Iran comprehensive strategic partnership, said Chinese President Xi Jinping to Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.

“China supports Iran in safeguarding national sovereignty” and “resisting unilateralism and bullying,” Xi said in a statement carried by Chinese state TV on its website on February 14.

Xi made the remark in talks with Ebrahim Raisi, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Raisi paid a state visit to China on the invitation of Chinese President from February 14 to 16. his first since taking office in August 2021.

The two presidents pledged to enhance comprehensive cooperation between China and Iran, while hailing the countries’ traditional friendship and the sound development of bilateral ties.

They agreed that the two countries should support each other on issues concerning their own core interests, strengthen communication on international and regional affairs and jointly oppose hegemony and bullying.

During the talks, Xi said that amid the profound changes in the international situation, China and Iran have constantly consolidated their strategic mutual trust and steadily advanced pragmatic co¬operation. They have promoted their common interests and upheld international fairness and justice, writing a new chapter for China-Iran friendship, he added.

China supports Iran in safeguarding its sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national dignity as well as resisting unilateralism and hegemony, and opposes attempts by external forces to interfere in Iran’s domestic affairs and undermine its security and stability, Xi said.

He expressed China’s willingness to implement the agreement on the China-Iran comprehensive cooperation plan, which was signed by the two countries in March 2021, and deepen pragmatic cooperation in trade, agriculture, industry and infrastructure. China stands ready to continue promoting the joint building of the Belt and Road with Iran to enhance mutual connectivity, and the country is willing to increase imports of high-quality Iranian agricultural produce, Xi said.

He highlighted the importance of stability in the Middle East, saying that upholding stability matters to the well-being of the countries and people in the region and also has great relevance to world peace, global economic development and the stability of energy supplies.

Noting that China appreciates Iran’s willingness to actively improve relations with neighboring countries, Xi said that China supports countries in the region in resolving their differences through dialogue and consultation to realize good neighborliness. China is willing to continue to play a constructive role in promoting regional peace and stability, he added.

Xi also called for strengthening communication and coordination between China and Iran within multilateral frameworks, including the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, practicing true multilateralism and jointly safeguarding the common interests of developing countries.

China will continue to participate in the negotiations on resuming the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on the Iran nuclear issue, support Iran in upholding its legitimate and lawful rights and interests, and advance the proper settlement of the Iran nuclear issue at an early date, he said.

Raisi said that Iran-China relations are based on the spirit of mutual respect, and the two counties are sincere strategic partners who trust each other.

Iran remains firmly committed to deepening and improving the comprehensive strategic partnership with China, and its resolve in this regard will not be affected by any change in the international and regional situations, said the Iranian president.

He said he appreciated China’s assistance in fighting Covid-19 and its impartial position on the Iran nuclear issue, and said that Iran firmly supports and will actively participate in the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative.

The Iranian president assured Xi that Iran resolutely supports China in upholding its national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and stands ready to work with China in upholding regional and global peace and security.

The Chinese leader gladly accepted an invitation by President Ebrahim Raisi to make a trip to Iran, both countries said in a joint statement issued on February 16. No date was given for the visit, which would be Xi’s first to the Middle Eastern nation since 2016.

Raisi said that Iran attaches great importance to improving ties with China. In an article published in People’s Daily a day before he landed in Beijing, Raisi described China as an ”old friend” and the ”best partner in future cooperation”, emphasising that Iran will continue improving relations with China despite regional and international hurdles.  The main goal of Raisi’s visit to China was to discuss how to expeditiously implement the agreement in multiple fields including agriculture, trade, industry, infrastructure, tourism, environmental protection and healthcare. Besides, Iran is also committed to boosting cooperation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation — an inter-governmental organisation mainly aimed at maintaining regional peace and security — and the Belt and Road Initiative. On Feb 7, Raisi signed an order to accelerate the implementation of the SCO’s rules. And if all the procedures are completed without a hitch, Iran will become a formal, full member of the SCO and likely attend the 2023 SCO summit in an official capacity

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s visit to China shows Beijing and Teheran are committed to deepening political and economic cooperation in the new era. Since Iran has stressed the importance of its ”Look East” policy in its pursuit of a more balanced foreign policy, Asian countries including China have become more important for Iran’s diplomacy.

That it was Raisi’s first visit to China since he took office in 2021 and his first foreign trip in 2023 shows how determined Iran is to carry through its ”Look East” policy. And since China has been pursuing its unique path to modernisation, high-quality development and opening-up, it can benefit from a reinforced comprehensive strategic partnership with Iran. During his three-day visit, Raisi led a sizable delegation to China, including Iranian Cabinet members such as the ministers of foreign affairs, trade, transportation and agriculture, and the chief nuclear negotiator, central bank head, business leaders and think tank members. The Iranian delegation members held meetings with Chinese leaders, businesspeople of the two countries and Iranians living in China.

Also, Raisi’s visit will strengthen bilateral communication on regional and global issues, and coordination on multilateral platforms such as the United Nations and the SCO. With Raisi’s support for the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, the two countries will try to build more cooperation mechanisms based on the BRI, so as to improve interconnectivity and people-to-people exchanges.

On the conclusion of Raisi’s visit, the two countries issued a joint statement, saying they would improve communication and cooperation.

Courtesy: China Daily and Global Times