Araghchi: Iran-China partnership ‘strong foundation’ for enhancing ties
Iran’s foreign minister said Tehran considers a 25-year comprehensive strategic partnership between Iran and China as a “strong foundation” for enhancing bilateral relations.
Abbas Araghchi made the remarks in a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in the capital Beijing on Saturday.
Referring to the long-standing and robust relationship between Iran and China as two ancient civilizations in Asia, Araghchi said the Islamic Republic will do its utmost to take advantage of high capacities of the collaboration with China.
Tehran and Beijing signed the comprehensive strategic partnership agreement in 2021 to reinforce their long-standing economic and political alliance. China is Iran’s largest trade partner. Both states are subject to different levels of illegal sanctions imposed by the United States.
During their meeting on Saturday, both sides reviewed the current status of their relations in areas such as economy, trade, investment, energy, and transportation, discussing ways to enhance bilateral relations and expand cooperation within the framework of the comprehensive cooperation plan.
The Chinese foreign minister, for his part, said that boost in cooperation between China and Iran not only benefits the peoples of both countries, but will also contribute to promoting regional and global peace, stability, and development, according to a statement released by China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday.
Historic relations
China and Iran established a comprehensive strategic partnership and are important members of the Global South. The relationship between the two countries has a long history, rooted in the strong and deep traditional friendship between their peoples, mutual trust and support since the establishment of diplomatic relations more than half a century ago, the Chinese top diplomat said.
Wang emphasized that both countries should closely coordinate within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), jointly promote the Shanghai Spirit, facilitate more cooperative projects, and build closer SCO community with a shared future.
He added that Iran and China should also work together to enhance BRICS cooperation, cultivate new areas of cooperation, further strengthen BRICS, and better safeguard the common interests of the Global South, Wang said.
Wang also emphasized that, in the face of today’s world of instability and uncertainty, “We must strengthen unity and cooperation, oppose hegemonic and bullying actions, and jointly advocate and practice true multilateralism, working to build a more just and reasonable global governance system.”
Iran nuclear issue
The two top diplomats also exchanged their views on the Iranian nuclear issue.
Wang emphasized that China has always advocated for addressing the Iranian nuclear issue through political dialogue and upholding the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. China opposes the frequent use of sanctions and pressure and firmly supports Iran in safeguarding its legitimate rights and interests.
The Iranian foreign minister told reporters that 2025 will be an important year for Iran’s nuclear issue. A nuclear agreement signed between Iran and world powers in 2015, from which the US unilaterally withdrew in 2018, expires on October 25, 2025. The US withdrawal put the agreement in limbo.
Middle East developments
The two sides also had an in-depth exchange of views on the current situation in the Middle East. The top diplomats of China and Iran agreed that West Asia is “not a battleground for the big powers” and should not be an arena of geopolitical competition between countries outside the region.
They agreed that “the international community should respect the sovereignty, security, stability, unity and territorial integrity of Middle East countries,” according to a readout from Beijing’s Foreign Ministry.
The two major trading partners reiterated calls for a cease-fire in Gaza, the proper implementation of the cease-fire in Lebanon, and the “integrated promotion of counter-terrorism, reconciliation and humanitarian processes in Syria,” according to the readout.