Raeisi’s China visit to push strategic partnership to higher level: Chinese envoy

China’s ambassador to Tehran has hailed the recent official visit of Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi to Beijing as a factor that will boost the “strategic” cooperation between the two states to a “higher level.”

Ambassador Chang Hua made the statement in a special letter to IRNA on Thursday.

"I’m sure that this visit will effectively take the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Iran to a higher level and mark a new chapter in our bilateral relations," he said.

Heading a high-ranking politico-economic delegation, President Raeisi paid an official visit to China from February 14 to 16. He held a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in addition to attending several other meetings aimed at strengthening bilateral relations.

“The close strategic ties represent the historic choice of Iran and China as two ancient civilizations of East and West Asia,” the Chinese diplomat said. “As two independent countries, Iran and China expand their relations based on a spirit of mutual respect. The Two nations are considered honest strategic partners who deserve mutual trust.”

“Regardless of changes in the international and regional situation, Beijing will remain determined to develop friendly cooperation with Tehran to take the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries to a higher level amid unprecedented profound changes in the global situation,” Hua stated.

During the visit, which was Raeisi’s first to China since taking office, the two sides signed 20 cooperation documents.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday morning after arriving in Tehran, Raeisi said it was a “fruitful” trip and the two sides followed good discussions in the fields of energy, industry and trade, road and urban development.

Referring to the Tehran-Beijing cooperation in the international arena, Raeisi said China has welcomed the notion of Iran’s membership in the BRICS organization. This will be followed “seriously” by the Foreign Ministry so that Iran could benefit from the capacities of such international blocs, the president said.

MG