Beijing Aims to Strengthen Partnership With Tehran

China’s top diplomat said Beijing would make efforts for greater development of the comprehensive strategic partnership with Iran regardless of how the international and regional situation changes.
“Both countries’ leaders have a will to expand bilateral ties, so Beijing will continue its cooperation and consultations with Iran at all levels, including mutual collaboration within the framework of regional and international organizations,” Wang Yi said in a phone conversation with his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, on Friday, IRNA reported.
He expressed China’s readiness to implement the 25-year strategic cooperation agreement that was signed in March between Wang and Iran’s former foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Amir-Abdollahian also stressed the need for the full implementation of the deal that would see China invest $400-600 billion into the Iranian economy amid tough American sanctions. 
Describing Tehran-Beijing relations as strategic, the foreign minister highlighted Iran’s strong determination to pursue agreements reached between President Ebrahim Raeisi and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, in a phone conversation in August. 
Wang said the recent contact between the two heads of state has charted the course for bilateral relations. 
“China is willing to continue to work with Iran to firmly support each other on issues concerning their respective core interest and major concern, oppose unilateral bullying acts, and defend international fairness and justice,” he was quoted as saying by Xinhua.  
He also pledged to continue to help Iran in containing the coronavirus outbreak by supplying the needed vaccines at any quantity and until any time that Tehran requires. 

Legitimate Position 

The Chinese diplomat also welcomed the initiation of dialogue between Iran and the European parties to the 2015 nuclear deal, saying he has instructed his colleagues at the ministry to keep up close consultations with Iranian officials in this regard. 
The deal, formally called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, has been at risk of collapse since the United States pulled out in 2018 and reimposed sanctions that prompted Iranian leaders to scale down on their commitments in response. 
Indirect negotiations started with Europe’s mediation in Vienna, Austria, in April to work out how both sides can resume compliance, but the talks have been halted since June, after a change of government in Iran. 
Enrique Mora, the European Union envoy who coordinates the talks, recently visited Tehran and met Iran’s potential negotiator Ali Baqeri after the new Iranian administration showed signs of readiness to return to the Vienna table. 
Wang appreciated Iran’s stance toward the nuclear issue and reiterated Beijing’s emphasis on the importance of a complete return of all sides to JCPOA commitments.  
“China understands Iran’s legitimate position of safeguarding its national interests on the nuclear issue and supports the resumption of negotiations to revive the JCPOA,” he said. 
Amir-Abdollahian explained the details of discussions with Mora, criticizing the three European powers’ inaction and underscoring Iran’s definite policy concerning the need for a complete and effective removal of the US unilateral and illegal sanctions. 
“Talks have begun in a positive and constructive course … it was agreed that the discussions continue over the next two weeks at the same level in Brussels,” he said.