News / Politics

China describes Iran as ‘strategic partner' in West Asia

Friday, 26 April 2024 9:56 AM [ Last Update: Friday, 26 April 2024 10:53 AM ]

China's Special Envoy to the Middle East Zhai Jun speaks during a meeting with Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Ali Bagheri Kani (unseen) in Moscow, Russia, on April 26, 2024. (Photo by IRNA)

China's special envoy to the Middle East says Iran is a “special partner” of Beijing in West Asia, appreciating Tehran’s measures in the region.

Zhai Jun made the remarks on Friday during a meeting with Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Ali Bagheri Kani in Moscow, on the sidelines of the Consultations of Deputy Foreign Ministers/Special Envoys of the BRICS group of emerging economies on the Middle East Affairs.

Zhai condemned the Israeli regime’s recent terrorist attack against the Iranian diplomatic premises in Syria and thanked Tehran for its actions in defense of the Palestinians’ rights, Iran's official IRNA news agency reported.

China is Iran’s largest trade partner. Both countries are subject to different levels of illegal sanctions imposed by the US.

They have enjoyed close ties in recent years, particularly after the United States reinstated sanctions on the Iranian economy in 2018 after unilaterally withdrawing from the 2015 nuclear deal.

Opportunities of 25-year partnership for Iran and China

Iran and China, two countries that are in structural conflicts with the current world order, have signed a "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement" which is centered on geo-economic goals.

The two countries signed the landmark 25-year partnership agreement in March 2021 in an attempt to strengthen their long-standing economic and political alliance.

The deal was announced during President Xi’s visit to Tehran back in 2016. It sets the outlines of China-Iran cooperation in political, cultural, security, defense, regional, and international domains for the next 25 years.

Iran, Russia discuss bilateral ties

Earlier on Friday, Bagheri Knai held talks with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister and Special Presidential Representative for the Middle East Mikhail Bogdanov.

The two sides discussed bilateral relations between Tehran and Moscow as well as regional issues.

Iran calls on BRICS to play role in stopping Israeli crimes

Iran has called on the BRICS group of emerging economies to play a role in putting an immediate stop to Israeli crimes against the Palestinians.

In an address to the BRICS meeting on Thursday, the Iranian official called on the member states to play a role in putting an immediate stop to Israeli crimes against Palestinians during the regime’s genocidal war on the Gaza Strip.

He also underlined the need for sending humanitarian aid to Gaza, urging the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the besieged Palestinian territory.

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