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.
He said China and Russia are important and influential actors in the international arena and Iran should seek to work more closely with both of them in different fields under all circumstances.
Rahimpour maintains that the ongoing trade war between the United States and China has opened up a window of opportunity for Tehran to cement ties with Beijing.
He was referring to differences between the world’s two largest economies over trade balance, market access and protection of intellectual property that have roiled global markets.
Significant Status
The former diplomat said China is aware of Iran’s significant role and status in the Middle East and appreciates the importance of preserving its relationship with Tehran, particularly at the present juncture.
“We have to take this issue into consideration that China, like many other countries, does not want to endanger its relations with America for the sake of another country or draw the ire of the US government. However, Iran has a special place in China’s foreign policy calculations,” he said.
“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”
Rahimpour said China has been Iran’s top trading partner in recent years so effective policies should be formulated to increase trade with the Asian powerhouse.
Washington snapped sanctions back in place on Iran following its withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal signed between Tehran and world powers, while temporarily allowing some customers, including China—Tehran’s biggest crude buyer, to continue buying oil from the Islamic Republic.
China was the top customer of Iran’s oil and non-oil goods in 2018, according to a spokesperson with China’s General Administration of Customs.
Tehran-Beijing trade saw a 1.8% growth during the nine months of 2018 to reach 189.16 billion yuan ($29.1 billion), Li Kuiwen was quoted as saying by IRNA in October.
China’s exports to Iran stood at 76.18 billion yuan ($11.72 billion), indicating a 16.3% decline year-on-year while imports from Iran hovered around 112.98 billion yuan ($17.38 billion), about 19.1% more than in last year’s corresponding period, according to the Chinese official.
Rahimpour hailed the Chinese government’s economic vision, saying, “China has established good and strong economic partnership with many countries and has recently made investments in Africa … It shows that the country’s economic policies have been successful, which is admirable, and we have to take advantage of this issue to serve our national interests.”
