Publish Date: 16 February 2023 - 11:05

Tehran, IRNA – The strengthening of relations with China and the visit of president Reisi to Beijing, which is a demonstration of the political will of the two countries to strengthen strategic relations; can create good opportunities to realize the indicators of the vision document.

Based on the principles of its foreign policy, the Islamic Republic of Iran has the capacity and readiness to cooperate with all countries that seek friendly relations based on mutual respect. But at a time when America and Europe, by continuing their hostile behavior, are investing in the bankrupt and discredited counter-revolution, common sense proves that strengthening the approach of looking to the east should be prioritized in Iran's plans.

- In implementing the provisions of the vision document as the country's grand strategy, Iran should reach the first scientific, economic, and technological position in the Southwest Asia region, and in this process, it should cooperate with large countries and regional institutions. For this reason, Asian powers and the economic and political institutions of this continent have priority.

- Russia and China are among the countries that have no hegemonic motives and have stood by Iran in difficult times, especially during the sanctions period, by adopting independent policies. Strengthening relations with these countries turn the threats of the countries supporting the unipolar system into opportunities.

- Today, the stages of achieving industrial progress in the world are accompanied by a strong demand for energy, and practically the highest growth in energy demand in the world belongs to Asia. It is expected that, with current trends, the demand for crude oil in the world will reach more than 110 million barrels per day in 2025, which shows a new demand of 25 to 30 million barrels per day. Due to the hostility of Western countries, Iran cannot be attached to the traditional energy markets in America and Europe, and for this reason, in the past years, the share of Iran's oil exports to Asia has increased, and China has been the largest buyer of fossil energy from Iran.

- The Islamic Republic of Iran needs modern technology in the path of economic and industrial progress, and it cannot rely on the West to achieve this goal; Therefore, considering the friendly and growing relations between Iran and Asia, the countries of this continent have suitable conditions and China can be a right choice for Iran in this direction.

- Iran is known as a bridge between Asia, Europe, and Africa, and it is important for China, which seeks to create diversity and pluralism in transit routes. Due to the war in Ukraine and the weakening of the East-West corridors, Iran's special role in North-South and East-West transportation has doubled. In order to create the new Silk Road and implement the "One Belt One Road" project, China cannot neglect a strategic view of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Today, China has moved away from an Eastern power and has become an Asian and even Eurasian power. In terms of political geography, this country is not only an eastern country or a maritime power but a far-eastern country with a continental power. China is determined to strengthen the approach of looking to the West (from a geographical point of view) and active presence in Asia, just as Iran plans to strengthen cooperation with Asia.

- Beijing has invested 48 billion dollars in Gwadar port in Pakistan in the direction of looking toward the West and achieving new economic capacities. The extent of China's investment in port facilities and infrastructure, and even Pakistan's railways and airlines, is derived from the approach of looking to the West. China is interested in the big Asian market, especially in Iran, and Iran is also thinking about being in the big Chinese market to increase non-oil exports. It is in this situation that the development of China's cooperation with Iran as a strategic issue makes sense.

In general, the strengthening of relations with China and the visit of president Reisi to Beijing, which is a demonstration of the political will of the two countries to strengthen strategic relations; can create good opportunities to realize the indicators of the vision document.

During this trip, several agreements and memoranda were signed for the development of economic cooperation in the sectors of trade, energy, agriculture, tourism, and mines, and the ground for the implementation of the 25-year strategic document between Iran and China was provided. From now on, we should seriously and diligently seek to implement the provisions of these agreements. At the same time, one should avoid unnecessary propaganda measures that raise people's expectations and also increase the pressure of America on China and intelligently exploit the achievements of this trip.

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