Iran, China in face of common security threats

EghtesadOnline: The Islamic Republic of Iran and People's Republic of China maintain a common stance as the two countries' will for fostering global and regional peace and stability and countering security threats is concerned.

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14 November 2016

China's Defense Minister General Chang Wanquan is in Tehran at the formal invitation of his Iranian counterpart as the two nations are seeking to enhance their defense, military and security ties in the new post-sanctions atmosphere.

According to IRNA, this is the first time a defense minister from China is paying a visit to Iran to explore new avenues for development of ties.

General Chang is expected to meet Iran's high-ranking political and military officials to discuss bilateral, regional and international issues.

The present high-profile trip by the Chinese General is going to well serve as evidence to the decisive role Iran has in promoting Asia's defense and security.

It goes without saying that more engagement between Iran and China is going to guarantee peace and stability in the region, as well.

China has always been Iran's economic, political and security partner; a reliable partner that has never stopped to deepen its ties with Iran since the victory of the Islamic Revolution 38 years ago.

Iran, too, has always followed a policy of more engagement with the Eastern power and especially during the past three years Tehran and Beijing have seen their relations on the rise more than ever.

One of the remarkable episodes in Iran-China diplomatic ties was formed during the nuclear negotiations between Tehran and P5+1 group of countries where Beijing as a group member played a constructive role in helping the deal to be signed and a compromise on Iran's peaceful nuclear activities to be reached.

The exchange of visits by senior officials of the two countries in the past three years also points to serious determination of the two nations to promote all-out ties.

President Xi Jinping's Tehran visit earlier this year tended to be a significant event the Chinese leader made in a bid to promote Tehran-Beijing ties in all areas, including political, economic, commercial and cultural.

President Xi was among the first world leaders Iranian President Hassan Rouhani met on the sidelines of the 13th Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan a few months following his election in 2013.

The two Presidents have since met repeatedly on the sidelines of international events to negotiate and explore new ways for furthering ties.

Now, in the wake of implementation of the nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the two nations should seize the opportunities created in the post-sanctions era to ever increase their relations.

But, whereas bolstering politico-economic ties tends to be a main priority in ties between Iran and China, enhancing defense and security relations, as seen in the past, remains to be on Tehran-Beijing agenda.

Defense cooperation between Iran and China go back to the years of Iran-Iraq war when Tehran could not acquire defense equipment it needed to ward off the Iraqi imposed war against the country.

The high potential for developing military and security ties between Tehran and Beijing have always been acknowledged by officials in the two countries and the government of President Rouhani is no exception.

A major step taken by President Rouhani's government was the visit by Defense Minister General Hossein Dehghan to China in 2014 almost one year after President Rouhani's election.

During his meeting with his Chinese counterpart, the Iranian defense minister urged revival of the Silk Road and its redefinition to address the 21st century demands.

The call by General Dehghan, in fact, was hinting at common threats faced by the two nations; something that makes inevitable for Iran and China to deepen and enhance their defense and security ties.

Now, as the region is overwhelmed with extremism, terrorism, production and smuggling of narcotics and piracy, it seems that China and Iran need to join hands and cooperate more to address such issues.

On the other hand, the common strategies adopted by leaders of the two countries in countering the avaricious tendencies of the West, specially the United States, is going to open a new window of opportunity for the Iran and China to develop their defense ties.