Iranian, Chinese presidents agree to expand strategic ties

“Today, we discussed strategic relations between the two countries, regulating and signing a comprehensive 25-year document and also upgrading bilateral ties in the coming 10 years”.

The negotiations between Rouhani and his Chinese counterpart ended Saturday with the signing of 17 accords and agreements, including a number aimed at creating a modern version of the ancient Silk Road trade route, as well as cooperation in developing peaceful nuclear energy. 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.

He arrived in Iran on Friday to cement better relations, the first Chinese President to visit that country in 14 years.

Hassan Rouhani also says Iran wants to be an active player in the Chinese government’s “Belt and Road” Initiative, as well as the China-initiated Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.

Xi, for his part, noted that China was now Iran’s largest trading partner, stressing that his visit to the Islamic republic was meant to further bolster relations between the two countries. Bilateral trade in 2014 was around $52 billion, but dropped off past year because of falling oil prices, according to Iranian officials.

The Iranian president stressed the importance of Xi’s visit, which comes shortly after the lifting of economic sanctions imposed on Iran by the USA and EU. The two leaders pledged to beef up practical cooperation between the two countries.

“China has always stood by the side of the Iranian nation during hard days”, Rouhani said, in comments posted on his official website.

China is among the world powers that reached the agreement, the so-called Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), with Iran last July.

“Iran had a relationship both politically and economically with China and Russian Federation for the last ten years in ways that it hasn’t had with Europe”.

According to Iranian media, more than a third of Iran’s foreign trade is with China.

Khamenei said Iran won’t forget China’s support at the time of sanctions.

China depends on Iran for 10-15 percent of its energy needs, Milani added, therefore, it is “extremely important” for Beijing to maintain good ties with Tehran.

Rouhani echoed Xi’s words saying that Iran will actively respond to the Belt and Road Initiative and carry out closer communication and coordination with China on global affairs. “We will strengthen the exchange of intelligence information and will work on how to fight terrorism jointly”, the president of Iran said.