Need to Forge Closer Relations With China

Iran should act to dispel the idea that it leans closer to China only at the time of sanctions, says a former official, who believes that trade tensions between China and the United States have provided a favorable backdrop for establishing a long-term strategic partnership with the rising Asian superpower.
“Unfortunately, there is a prevailing assumption in China and some other countries that Iran only reaches out to them while it is under sanctions or experiencing hardship, but seeks to forge closer ties with the West when everything is okay,” Ebrahim Rahimpour, who formerly served as deputy foreign minister for Asia and Oceania affairs, also told Mehr News Agency. 
“We have to address this issue and correct this misconception through a detailed roadmap and continued efforts,” he added.