China has told Iran that it appreciates the country’s efforts in the West Asia region – and is a “special partner”.
China’s Special Envoy to the Middle East Zhai Jun was speaking during a meeting with Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Ali Bagheri Kani in Moscow. This was on the sidelines of the Consultations of Deputy Foreign Ministers/Special Envoys of the BRICS group of emerging economies on Middle East Affairs.
China is Iran’s largest trade partner and countries are subject to different levels of sanctions by the United States. They have enjoyed close ties in recent years, particularly after the United States reinstated sanctions on the Iranian economy in 2018 after unilaterally withdrawing from the 2015 nuclear deal. The two countries signed the landmark 25-year partnership agreement in March 2021. It gives details of China-Iran co-operation in political, cultural, security, defence, regional matters.
In an address to the BRICS meeting in Moscow last week, the Iranian official called on the member states to play a role in putting an immediate stop to Israel’s war in Gaza. He also underlined the need for sending humanitarian aid to the area, urging the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces. Saudi Arabia is holding talks at the World Economic Forum in Riyadh in an attempt to bring peace to Gaza. The talks involve US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and other major role players.
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