TEHRAN – China is looking to strengthen its comprehensive partnership with Iran during President Masoud Pezeshkian’s administration, according to the Chinese envoy to Tehran Cong Peiwu who has served in his role for the past three months.

Peiwu made the remarks during an exclusive interview with the Tehran Times while paying a visit to the newspaper’s building. The ambassador said he hopes Iran and China will use their old friendship and long-lasting ties to continue support for each other’s core interests and deliver benefits to both nations. 

Below is the full text of the Chinese envoy’s remarks to the Tehran Times: 

 In your opinion, what are the prospects for the development of Iran-China relations in President Masoud Pezeshkian's era?

China and Iran are comprehensive strategic partners, and our current cooperation is in good momentum. China has maintained Iran's largest trading partner for many years. In July this year, the Qom (Iran)-Yiwu (China) all-rail freight train started operation, which will help strengthen Iran-China cargo transportation cooperation. China has opened a "green channel" for Iran's agricultural products entering China. Tangerine, apples, honey, white shrimps, ribbonfish, and many other products from Iran are becoming increasingly popular among Chinese consumers. 

There are many highlights in China-Iran cultural exchanges and interactions in various fields such as culture, education, media, and local cooperation, which enhances mutual understanding and cooperation between the two peoples. The people-to-people exchanges between China and Iran are becoming increasingly close. Our embassy continues to take measures to facilitate visas. At present, Iranian applicants can apply for visas without appointments. The successful visa approval rate has been up to 97.6%.

Not long ago, the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China was successfully held in Beijing. The session sent a strong message to the world about China’s steadfast commitment to reform and opening up in the new era and also drew up a blueprint for China to further deepen reform and advance Chinese modernization on all fronts. In the next stage, China will steadily improve the level of cooperation with countries around the world in trade, investment, industry, and other fields, and continue to share more development opportunities with countries around the world, including Iran. 

China stands ready to work with the new Iranian government to continue to firmly support each other on issues concerning each other's core interests, steadily advance practical cooperation in various fields, unswervingly promote the sound development of bilateral relations, deliver more benefits to the two peoples, and constantly add new content to the China-Iran comprehensive strategic partnership.

Iran is a new member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. What areas of common cooperation do Iran and China have within the SCO framework?

China and Iran are both important developing countries and both adhere to true multilateralism. Since Iran successfully joined the SCO one year ago, it has actively participated in various cooperation under the SCO framework and achieved fruitful results. Iran's joining the SCO has injected new vitality into it, which is in line with the expectations of the international community and the common interests of emerging market countries and developing countries.

After the Astana summit, China has taken over the rotating presidency of the SCO for 2024-2025. China stands ready to work with Iran and other SCO partners under the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind, enhance solidarity and mutual trust, build consensus on cooperation, expand cooperation across the board, actively participate in global governance, and advance the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative to contribute more SCO strength to the lasting peace and common prosperity of the world. Iran is welcome to actively participate in the events hosted by China as the rotating chair of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and strengthen this new type of international organization.

What is China’s position on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict?

The Palestinian question is at the core of the Middle East issue. China never has any selfish interests in the Palestinian question. China was among the first countries to recognize the PLO and the State of Palestine. China firmly supports the Palestinian people in restoring their legitimate national rights. 

We value fairness and advocate for justice. 

The more daunting the situation is in the Middle East, the more critical it is for the international community to try to cool down the situation and enable de-escalation. At present, the Gaza conflict drags on, its spillovers continue to spread, and multiple regional conflicts are interconnected.

What is pressing now is that the international community should join forces and urge all parties to the conflict to earnestly implement relevant Security Council resolutions, to create conditions for the early realization of a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire in Gaza. It is particularly important to point out that Israel must heed the call of the international community, stop the hostilities at once, do everything possible to protect civilians, and avoid further escalation in the region.