Iran Presents 25-Year Roadmap for Strategic Ties With China

EghtesadOnline: Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif arrived in Beijing on Monday at the head of a delegation and was scheduled to meet Chinese officials and present a 25-year roadmap for Iran-China strategic relations.

News ID: ۷۴۸۲۷۳

27 August 2019

He met his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, to discuss major bilateral, regional and international issues, IRNA reported.

The two sides highlighted longstanding relations between the two countries and stressed the need to expand their ties in political, economic, cultural and energy sectors.

The Iranian minister told reporters upon arrival that he would present the 25-year roadmap that various organizations in Iran have been reviewing over the past few months, resulting in the outline of the vision for long-term cooperation between the two countries in various sectors, Financial Tribune reported.

"Here, I will present a 25-year roadmap to materialize our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, & actively contribute to Belt & Road Initiative," he wrote on his Twitter account.

Belt and Road is a global development strategy promoted by the Chinese government.

Zarif also said he would discuss the latest status of Iran's 2015 nuclear deal (formally called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) and regional developments in China.

During the meeting, Wang described JCPOA as "an important diplomatic achievement " and "a symbol of multilateralism".

He expressed opposition to any unilateral move, reiterating his country's determination to cooperate with Iran and the global community to preserve this important international attainment.

Overseas Hostility

The nuclear deal has been at risk of collapse since the United States unilaterally pulled out of it last year and reimposed sanctions on Tehran.

In a recent article published by Global Times, Zarif commended "China's continued support for Iran's peaceful nuclear program and effective actions in order to overcome illegal and unilateral sanctions that have hindered Iran from realizing the economic benefits promised in the deal."

He also stressed the importance of cooperation as both countries face "overseas hostility by populist unilateralist bigotry".

"How we respond to this maximalism and this blatant violation of international commitments and law may have a defining impact on our ability to reach for that shared vision of our continent's future," he wrote.

Regional Stability

The latest developments in the Persian Gulf, North Africa and Latin America were other subjects of discussion between the two diplomats.

China's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Geng Shuang had earlier said in a press conference that Beijing is ready to work with Iran to further enhance bilateral strategic cooperation and help establish peace and stability in the Persian Gulf.

The already volatile Middle East region has been experiencing an escalation since several oil tankers were attacked near the Strait of Hormuz in recent times.

Zarif will stay in Beijing for two days before departing for Japan and Malaysia on the next leg of his East Asian tour.

In Japan, he will resume the ongoing dialogue between the two countries.

"This is my second trip to Japan over the past several months," he said.

In Malaysia, he said he will make arrangements for closer mutual ties and cooperation within the Muslim world, as the new government that came to power in Kuala Lumpur last year shares similar views with Iran.