Iran can act as a strategic bridge that connects Asia to Europe, says the head of the Center for Strategic Research of the Expediency Council Ali Akbar Velayati.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday after a meeting with the President of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences Professor Wang Weiguang in Tehran, Velayati said the two had “constructive” talks and discussed promotion of bilateral relations, according to Tasnim News Agency.
He termed two-way ties as strategic, saying that in a previous meeting he had with China’s foreign minister, the two sides agreed that bilateral trade can be raised from the present $50 billion to $200 billion.
The former foreign minister said Iran can and should play a role as a strategic link between China and West Asia as well as Europe.
Iran is a main player in reviving the Silk Road (an ancient network of trade routes connecting China to the Mediterranean Sea) in the 21st century, the official added.
Iran and China have embarked on new moves in recent months to boost cooperation. The two countries signed 17 cooperation agreements during a visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping in January.
