China seeks ‘new chapter’ with Iran after sanctions end
Gould, for her part, refers to the agreements signed between the Islamic Republic and China during President Xi Jinping’s Saturday visit to Tehran, saying this is a “good sign” for the future of bilateral relations between the two sides.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday said Iran had never trusted the West and backed closer ties with China instead.
The two leaders also saw the signing of 17 bilateral agreement documents for cooperation in fields such as infrastructure improvement, investment and the environment during a ceremony broadcast live on state television. “That is why Tehran seeks cooperation with more independent countries like China”, he said. “It has stood the test of the vicissitudes of the worldwide landscape”, Xi said in Iran.
“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.
AFP adds: It is the first visit to Iran by a Chinese president in 14 years, according to state news agency IRNA, and comes just days after sanctions against Tehran were lifted.
China and Iran have no fundamental conflicts, and there are only consistent mutual support and mutual benefit between them, Xi said during summit talks with his Iranian counterpart, Hassan Rouhani.
Rouhani’s trip follows the removal of Western sanctions against the country after the United Nations nuclear watchdog gave Tehran a clean chit last week for scaling down its nuclear program.
The two sides also agreed to strengthen cooperation in the exchange of intelligence and the joint struggle against regional threats, terrorism and extremism.
Iran is the world’s fifth largest oil producer, exporting more than 540,000 barrels of oil per day to China alone.
“The parties are in favor of worldwide problems being solved through negotiations and political dialogue”, the statement emphasizes.
“China is of course considering its self interest in strengthening cooperation with Iran, especially at a time when China is in the midst of expending efforts to push forward the One Belt, One Road initiative, Iran is an important fulcrum”, the paper said.
The minister said Tehran was also interested in buying planes from U.S.-based Boeing and urged global investors and airlines to move quickly into Iran.
Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Ming described Xi’s visit to Iran as “a milestone that will usher in a new era of bilateral ties featuring comprehensive, long-term and stable development”.
“We are opening more Chinese restaurants and training travel guides to speak Chinese”, it quoted Masoud Soltanifar, the head of the Iran Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization, as saying.