Post-JCPOA opportunities must boost Iran-China ties: Rouhani

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says the Islamic Republic and China must make the most of opportunities created following the implementation of last year’s landmark nuclear agreement to boost strategic relations.

“Relations with China have always been very important to Iran and we are willing for the two countries to make use of opportunities [offered by] the JCPOA [the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action] to more swiftly develop strategic ties,” Rouhani said in a meeting with Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao in the Thai capital city of Bangkok on Sunday on the sidelines of the two-day 2nd Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) summit.

Iran and the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council – the United States, Britain, France, China and Russia – plus Germany signed the JCPOA on July 14, 2015. Under the nuclear agreement, which took effect in January, Iran undertook to put limitations on its nuclear program in exchange for the removal of nuclear-related bans imposed against Tehran.

The Iranian president further noted that Tehran and Beijing must strengthen banking cooperation.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran welcomes China’s investment in the oil and gas, transportation and technology sectors and the two countries can further deepen their cooperation in scientific and cultural fields,” Rouhani said.

Rouhani expressed Iran’s readiness to play its role in reviving the historical Silk Road, adding that it was very important for regional development and economic cooperation.

The Iranian chief executive also said Tehran and Beijing have common views on many regional and international issues, adding, “China can play an important role in restoring peace and stability to the region, particularly by [dispatching] humanitarian aid to the oppressed regional people, including those in Yemen and Syria.”

Saudi Arabia has been engaged in a deadly campaign against Yemen since March 2015. Riyadh’s aggression, which has killed more than 10,000 in Yemen, was launched in an attempt to restore power to Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, a staunch ally of Riyadh and former Yemeni president, who seeks to force his way back into power. The campaign also seeks to undermine the Houthi Ansarullah movement.

Syria has been gripped by foreign-backed militancy over the past five and a half years, which has claimed the lives of around 400,000 people.

‘China ready to boost strategic ties with Iran’

The Chinese vice president, for his part, said a new chapter has been opened in mutual relations and expressed his country’s readiness to improve cooperation with Iran in all fields.

He added that the JCPOA has created an opportunity for the beginning of a new round of ties between Tehran and Beijing, saying that Beijing seeks to further enhance strategic relations with Tehran.

Li stressed the importance of boosting economic and banking cooperation and said China would encourage its financial institutions to improve ties with their Iranian counterparts.

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