Beijing Seeks to Strengthen Ties with Iran

WANA (Nov 09) –China’s special envoy for Middle East affairs has called for a shared, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security approach to establish a new regional security framework and achieve long-term stability in the Middle East, reaffirming Beijing’s willingness to strengthen relations with Tehran.

Zhai Jun made the remarks during a visit to Tehran, where he held separate meetings on Sunday with senior Iranian officials, including Ali Bagheri Kani, Deputy Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council; Majid Takht-Ravanchi, Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs; and Mohammad Ali Beik, Assistant Foreign Minister and Director General for Persian Gulf Affairs.

According to a statement published on Monday on the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s website, the meetings focused on bilateral relations between Tehran and Beijing and the latest developments in the Middle East.

During the meetings, Zhai highlighted the long history

During the meetings, Zhai highlighted the long history of friendship between Iran and China, saying Beijing was ready to use the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of their comprehensive strategic partnership as opportunities to advance bilateral ties and achieve new results.

Referring to the continuation and expansion of military conflicts in the Middle East, the Chinese envoy stressed that the use of military force cannot resolve problems and that the sovereignty and security of all countries must be respected.

He called on the parties concerned to choose peace and adopt a rational and pragmatic approach by focusing on political solutions to their differences, so that stability and development can return to the region as soon as possible.

Referring to Chinese President Xi Jinping’s initiatives

Referring to Chinese President Xi Jinping’s initiatives and proposals for peace and stability in the Middle East, Zhai said Beijing supported the development of good-neighborly relations among regional countries. He also called for adherence to a shared, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security approach to establish a new regional security framework and ensure long-term stability in the Middle East.

The Iranian side, for its part, emphasized the importance of relations with China and expressed Tehran’s readiness to strengthen bilateral cooperation and exchanges in various fields and continue the stable development of ties between the two countries.

Iranian officials also welcomed Xi’s important initiatives and proposals and praised China’s constructive role in efforts to establish peace and end the war in the region.

They stressed that the Islamic Republic of Iran

They stressed that the Islamic Republic of Iran would firmly defend its sovereignty, security and territorial integrity while continuing to pursue political solutions to regional conflicts through dialogue and consultations.

The Iranian officials also opposed foreign interference in regional affairs, saying Tehran was ready to work alongside China and other peace-seeking forces to restore peace and stability to the Middle East and the Persian Gulf as soon as possible.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, during his weekly presser, described Zhai’s visit as part of ongoing close consultations between Tehran and Beijing on bilateral and international relations, as well as regional security.

Responding to a question about whether Beijing had

Responding to a question about whether Beijing had presented a specific initiative to contain tensions and safeguard Iran’s strategic interests amid regional developments, the spokesman said relations with China were highly important to Iran.

He cited China’s status as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, a leading country in the Global South, and a country with which Iran has longstanding historical ties.

The spokesman added that the two countries shared positions on many issues, including their emphasis on multilateralism and opposition to unilateralism, whose consequences were evident at the international level.

He also said China had played a very

He also said China had played a very positive role in the region, adding that Iran had consistently welcomed Beijing’s efforts to help reduce tensions and strengthen security in the Persian Gulf and West Asia. The spokesman described the envoy’s visit as important.

China’s Foreign Ministry had announced last Monday that Zhai would travel to Iran, Oman and Saudi Arabia over a two-week period in early November.

Separately, Iran’s Foreign Ministry had previously stated that the conflict between Saudi Arabia and Yemen should end as soon as possible through dialogue between the parties, based on the roadmap they had agreed upon. It said this required an immediate halt to military attacks, a complete end to the blockade, and respect for the Yemeni people’s right to self-determination.