Dubai –
Mohammad Bagheri, former Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister in charge of Arab and African affairs and ambassador to several countries, recently stated in an exclusive interview with People’s Daily Online that cooperation between Iran and China is not only beneficial to both sides but will also have a profound impact on the region and the world.
Mohammad Bagheri highly praised China’s Belt and Road Initiative. He pointed out that both Iran and China are ancient civilizations, connected by the ancient Silk Road. For centuries, mutual respect and understanding have been the foundation of friendly exchanges between Iran and China. The Belt and Road Initiative not only builds a trade route but also serves as a bridge for the exchange of ideas in science, art, philosophy, and other fields. Today, facing unreasonable sanctions, Iran places even greater emphasis on “looking eastward,” hoping to better safeguard its own interests through strengthened pragmatic cooperation with East Asian countries. “Moreover, this cooperation helps to jointly oppose unilateral bullying and build a more balanced and pluralistic international order. China’s influence and appeal are growing daily, making it an important strategic partner for Iran,” said Mohammad Bagheri.
Mohammad Bagheri stated that China, through its continuous integration into the international system, rapid economic growth, and constantly enhanced technological innovation capabilities, has become an important pole on the international stage. Iran believes that strengthening cooperation with China is conducive to Iran’s better achievement of sustainable development and its effective participation in the construction of a multipolar world.
He stated that Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei has repeatedly pointed out that the countries of the Global South have enormous development potential, and Iran needs to continuously strengthen its friendly ties with China. During this year’s SCO summit, Khamenei posted on social media in Chinese for the first time, emphasizing that Iran and China, as ancient civilizations on the eastern and western wings of Asia, not only possess profound historical heritage but also have the transformative power to reshape the regional and even global landscape.
Mohammad Bagheri said that in 2016, Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a state visit to Iran, opening a historic chapter in the development of bilateral relations. Iran and China agreed to strengthen cooperation in various fields, including economy, culture, and technology, within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.
He pointed out that cultural exchanges between the two sides are becoming increasingly close, with a series of cultural performances, literary dialogues, and art exhibitions held. Economic and trade cooperation between Iran and China is also expanding. At the political and diplomatic levels, China firmly supports Iran in safeguarding its legitimate rights and interests, and both sides advocate resolving international differences through dialogue.
Mohammed Bagheri concluded by emphasizing, “The cooperation between Iran and China is a collaboration between two great civilizations. Further rapprochement between the two sides will contribute to strengthening communication between East and West and to the stable development of the world.”
(Reporting by Haytham Mouzahem, People’s Daily Online)
About the Author
