With Masoud Pezeshkian being elected as Iran's new president the quest then arises as to how Iran-China ties will go in the future.
Iran is considered one of the main powers in the West Asian region and one of the biggest producers and exporters of oil in the world. China is an emerging power in the world, a permanent member of the UN Security Council which enjoys the right to veto, and a big importer of oil in the world.
While ensuring their interests in various fields, the relations between the two countries are also of interest to regional and international competitors.
The US is one of the world powers that oppose the development of relations between Iran and China because, on the one hand, it believes that Iran is trying to circumvent sanctions by developing relations with China, and on the other hand, China is trying to increase its influence in the region and the world, while securing its economic interests, by developing relations with countries in the West Asian region, including Iran.
Despite all of the oppositions and hindrances, Iran-Chian relations got growing during the late Iranian President Rais's term which led to the 25-year strategic agreement signed by the two countries. And, now, with the new President Masoud Pezeshkian taking office in Iran, eyes are on his foreign policy and the relations with such countries as China.
He said in a note recently published by Tehran Times: "China and Russia have consistently stood by us during challenging times. We deeply value this friendship. Our 25-year roadmap with China represents a significant milestone towards establishing a mutually beneficial comprehensive strategic partnership, and we look forward to collaborating more extensively with Beijing as we advance towards a new global order." Such a frank statement by Pezeshkian shows that the development of relations with China is the foreign policy strategy of the Islamic Republic of Iran and it will not undergo much change with the change of administrations in Iran.
Still, China's response to Pezeshkian's note indicates Beijing's tendency to continue the growing trend of relations with Iran in the new administration.
The Spokesman of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Lin Jian said:
"China and Iran enjoy a long history of friendly exchanges, and the bilateral relations have maintained sound and steady development since the establishment of diplomatic ties more than half a century ago. In the face of complex regional and international situations, China and Iran have always supported each other and worked together to consolidate strategic mutual trust, steadily promoted exchanges and cooperation in various fields, and maintained sound communication and coordination on regional and international affairs. This has not only benefited the Chinese and Iranian people, but also contributed to regional and world peace and stability"
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