China’s tools, appetite for trade with Iran defy snapback of sanctions
AI, 5G deals with China could lift digital economy to 25% of GDP by 2030
Iran’s relations with China, its largest trading partner and top buyer of Iranian oil, have gained even greater weight considering sweeping Western sanctions. Beijing has become a vital pillar of Tehran’s foreign policy and can pave the way for deeper international engagement in today’s multipolar world.
Minister of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Sattar Hashemi underscored the future of this partnership during the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, held last week at the Chinese Embassy in Tehran. Praising the strategic bonds between Tehran and Beijing, Hashemi placed particular emphasis on expanding technological and digital cooperation. The minister also stressed the “convergent approach” of the two countries on global and regional issues, pointing to greater opportunities for collaboration in international bodies like the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), BRICS and the United Nations. Such a diplomatic harmony suggests the partnership goes far beyond trade, encompassing deeper strategic dimensions. Against this backdrop and amid growing Tehran-Beijing ties, Iran Daily spoke with Hamed Vafaei, head of the Asian Research Center of the University of Tehran, to examine various aspects of this cooperation, the challenges ahead and its prospects. See page 3 to read the interview.
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