Tehran-Beijing ties built on choice, not compulsion: Deputy FM
Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh stressed on Saturday that relations between Iran and China are based on choice, not compulsion, which necessitate the formation of a multi-layered and intertwined partnership.
Addressing a ceremony of the Third Forum of Iranian and Chinese Think Tanks in Tehran, Khatibzadeh said Iran and China, as two important pillars of the Global South, undoubtedly have an important path ahead to advance the shared interests, which will be pursued at an increased pace with greater convergence.
“The leaders of the two countries have demonstrated their determination to advance bilateral relations in a completely fragile and unstable environment — an environment made fragile as a result of actions that disrupt global and regional order and stability by hegemonic powers.”
Khatibzadeh added that the presidents of the two countries have shown that their relations are not against relations with other countries, but rather are complementary to a new order.
“Amid all these sanctions and pressures, there is one principle whose continuity we are certain of, and that principle is the friendship between Iran and China,” Khatibzadeh said.
Chinese Ambassador to Tehran Cong Peiwu also addressed the ceremony, saying, relations between Iran and China have followed a healthy and stable course since their establishment more than five decades ago despite experiencing complex developments.
“Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, ties between China and Iran have undergone complex developments, yet they have consistently remained on a healthy and stable trajectory — one that has brought significant benefits to the peoples of both countries and has played an important role in promoting peace and stability in the region,” he said.
Cong added that at a time when the international environment is increasingly marked by instability and the rise of unilateralism, the importance of strong Iran-China relations has become even more evident, underscoring the need to adopt the right approaches and further strengthen mutual political trust.
“Within the framework of multilateralism — such as BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization — we should strengthen cooperation and help shape a bright future for the Global South,” he said, while also stressing the importance of promoting cultural ties, noting that both Iran and China represent major global civilizations.
The Third Iran-China Dialogue Forum is being held by the Iranian Foreign Ministry’s Institute for Political and International Studies (IPIS) on Saturday and Sunday. The event features specialized panels and workshops attended by Iranian and Chinese officials, researchers, and academics.