Iran and China to be part of any future regional blocs, Ghalibaf says

Iran’s special representative for China affairs, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, says that Iran and China will be part of any regional or international blocs that emerge in the future, describing the two countries as strategic partners.

News ID: 2003428

Speaking at a Wednesday meeting with members of the Iran Chamber of Commerce aimed at enhancing sustainable economic cooperation between Tehran and Beijing, Ghalibaf said China held a unique place in Iran’s foreign and economic policy.

“China is unique for Iran, and China must also believe that we are not merely a customer or a commercial counterpart,” Ghalibaf said. “We are truly a partner in every sense with China.”

He said Tehran and Beijing needed to develop new forms of cooperation and regional groupings, adding that such blocs had already begun to take shape.

“Whatever bloc is formed, the presence of both Iran and China in that bloc is certain,” he said.

Ghalibaf also said that Iran and China would seriously pursue the establishment of blocs involving the Arab states of the Persian Gulf./irna