Chinese President Xi Jinping praised the “solidarity” between China and Iran when he met with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi at the start of a three-day visit to Beijing, state television reported on Tuesday. In the current complex world, times and history, China and Iran have supported each other ( i) expressed their solidarity and cooperation. This is the first state visit by an Iranian president to China in over 20 years.
The Chinese President received his Iranian counterpart, who was accompanied by a large economic and trade delegation, in Beijing, at the huge People’s Palace built on the edge of Tiananmen Square in the heart of the capital. In 2021, China signed a broad 25-year strategic deal with Iran that sees the U.S. impose tough sanctions that stifle its economy. The two countries are facing economic pressure over their stance on the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Iran is also under US sanctions in connection with its nuclear program. “China supports Iran in defending its national sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national dignity,” Xi was quoted by CCTV as saying Raisi. He added, “China supports Iran in its resistance to unilateral actions and intimidation, and opposes external forces that interfere in Iran’s internal affairs and undermine Iran’s security and stability.”
Regarding the nuclear file, the Chinese president confirmed that his country continues to “support Iran in protecting its legitimate rights and interests” and in “promptly and appropriately resolving” the issue. The two countries have signed several bilateral cooperation agreements in the fields of agriculture, trade, tourism, environmental protection, healthcare, disaster management, culture and sports, CCTV reported.