Chinese President Xi Jinping said Beijing views its relations with Iran from a strategic perspective and stands ready to work with Tehran to push for new progress in the China-Iran comprehensive strategic partnership, he said.
“In the face of complicated international situation, China and Iran have strengthened solidarity and cooperation, enhanced their common interests and safeguarded the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries,” He said in a phone conversation with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Friday, Xinhua reported.
The Chinese president stressed that the two sides should continue to firmly support each other on issues concerning each other’s core interests and major concerns.
Raisi also highlighted Iran’s determination to expand multi-faceted relations with China, irrespective of international developments.
The two presidents discussed initiatives for the development of collaborations and ways to expedite the implementation of the 25-year comprehensive strategic partnership program.
Tehran and Beijing signed a cooperation agreement on the further development of bilateral relations in early 2021.
Xi called on the two sides to maintain close communication on the implementation of the comprehensive cooperation plan between the two countries.
He also said the two countries should actively promote practical cooperation in key areas, keep up with cooperation in containing the coronavirus pandemic, and strengthen communication and coordination in regional and international affairs.
Iran and China should uphold non-interference in others’ internal affairs which is a basic norm in international relations, according to Xi.
Raisi also said respecting national sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries is a basic principle of Iran’s foreign policy.
“Along this line, support for the One China principle is the Islamic Republic’s definite and principled policy,” he said.
He added that the United States’ interference in the internal affairs of other countries is in line with its destructive policy of unilateralism which has become a threat to global peace and unilateralism.
The correct model of governance at regional and international level is one which is independent and is based on the national interests of sovereign states, according to Raisi.
He underlined the need for the rule of justice in the new international order, stressing that any effort by the United States to repeat the model of the Cold War in the world is a sign of its weakness and downfall.
The Chinese president said the Asian country appreciates Iran’s active support for his proposed Global Development Initiative and Global Security Initiative, and is ready to work with Iran to promote the implementation of the initiatives and push for the development of the international order toward a more just and rational direction.
Regional Security
In addition, Xi said the Chinese side has always supported Middle East countries in solving regional security problems in unity and coordination, and supported the people in the region exploring their development path independently.
Raisi pointed to his administration’s policy of expanding ties with neighboring and regional countries as a priority, saying such an approach has prepared the ground for collective security and development in West Asia region which can be a model for boosting political trust and economic progress.
He welcomed the idea of increasing multilateral economic cooperation within the framework of regional and international arrangements such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the BRICS (five major emerging economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa).
The Chinese president said Beijing is willing to strengthen communication and cooperation with Iran within such frameworks as the SCO.
The Iranian president later pointed to the negotiations to revive the 2015 nuclear deal, emphasizing the need for political decision by the American side as the violating party to revoke its illegal sanctions against Iran and third parties.
The US pulled out of the nuclear deal in 2018 and reimposed sweeping sanctions on Tehran which prompted it to scale down its commitments.
Talks have been underway for more than a year to work out how both sides can resume compliance.
