Chinese president in Tehran for 1st visit in 14 years

China has been Iran’s top trade partner for six years in a row, with bilateral trade hitting a record US$52 billion in 2014. “We made a decision to increase mutual trade up to 600 billion dollars”.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday hailed the agreement during a state visit to the Iranian capital, calling it a “new season” for bilateral relations.

“This is the first visit by a Chinese president in 14 years”.

Xi concluded on Saturday night his five-day, three-nation tour in the Middle East, which had previously taken him to Saudi Arabia and Egypt.It is Xi’s first overseas visit this year and also his first trip to the region since becoming Chinese president in 2013. The two leaders pledged to beef up practical cooperation between the two countries. “The worst form of violence is underway in Iraq and Syria today and Iran is ready to cooperate with China in resolving the regional problems”, Jahangiri said during the meeting.

“We expect strong cooperation to continue as we all work together to ensure Iran’s continued compliance with the [nuclear agreement]”, said Anna Richey-Allen, a spokesperson from State Department’s East Asia and Pacific Bureau, on Friday.

China, along with the United States, Britain, France, Germany and Russian Federation, was among the countries that agreed with Iran in July to curtail its nuclear activities in exchange for ending global sanctions.

China “acknowledges Iran’s constructive role in the fight against terrorism and maintaining peace and stability in the region”, it added, while supporting Tehran’s increased regional and worldwide role.

The Chinese President pointed out that this decision shows that the parties are fully confident in the level of political engagement and are going to support each other on the issues that are of interest of Tehran and Beijing, particularly in the energy sector. “Iran is the most reliable country in the region for energy since its energy policies will never be affected by foreigners”, he said.

Xi said he seeks “strategic ties with Iran”, particularly in energy market.

The Chinese president will meet Iran’s most powerful figure, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, later in the day. “The China-Iran friendship… has stood the test of the vicissitudes of the worldwide landscape”, Xi was quoted as saying by China’s Xinhua news agency.

China was Iran’s supporter in past years when the Islamic Republic was under harsh worldwide sanctions.

In the most recent move, the Chinese president developed and launched an initiative for building Silk Road Economic Belt and marine Silk Road in an attempt to revive the historical path.