On December 27, 2024, upon his arrival in China on a diplomatic visit, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi published an article in the Chinese outlet People's Daily in which he discussed the promising nature of Iran-China relations. Stating that his visit to China marked the beginning of a "golden half-century" of Iran-China relations which, he said, would include bilateral strategic and pragmatic cooperation, he underlined the two countries' shared view of the Palestinian cause and the urgency of a ceasefire in Gaza.
A post on X by Araghchi, seen on left shaking hands with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Source: X.com/Araghchi, December 28, 2024.
Also during his China visit, Araghchi told reporters that the issues raised in his meetings in the country included bilateral cooperation, which, he said, "includes a wide range of economic, cultural, and political cooperation." Stating that "we also talked about Iran's nuclear issue and that 2025 will be an important year in relation to this issue," he said that other topics discussed included international issues, the region, and the issue of terrorism, which worries everyone." He also said that there were discussions and consultations on Afghanistan, Syria, Gaza, Lebanon, Palestine and Yemen," and that "a review was also held on the Islamic Republic of Iran's proposals in the fields of trade, security, the economy, and energy, and on the establishment of an energy hub for the member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization."[1]
It should be noted that China is Iran's biggest trade partner.
The following is a translation of the main points of Araghchi's December 27 article in People's Daily:
"…It has been almost five years since the last time I arrived in Beijing (in 2019) to participate in the 'Joint Consultative Meeting On The JCPOA [nuclear agreement]', and I had good conversation with Chinese friends. [During this meeting] we responsibly tried to convince the other sides to return to the nuclear deal and meet their obligations. With a responsible and pragmatic approach, we showed that the nuclear issues are an inseparable part of the strategic cooperation between the two countries [Iran and China], and that the thing that makes the agreement stable is 'responsible behavior' and 'fulfilling obligations,' and Iran must be spoken with as an important player in the region – respectfully and equally.
"China's success as a 'developing country' is a source of much hope for other developing countries that they will be able to overcome the most difficult problems under the shade of harmony, empathy, and cooperation. Building a human community with a shared future, in accordance with President Xi Jinping's principled slogan, has created a historic trend for the global community with a shared future, and I believe it is consistent and coordinated with [Iranian] President [Masoud] Pezeshkian's initiative. [Pezeshkian's] consensus initiative is an effort to preserve the legacy of the past and build a bridge to the future, while simultaneously identifying opportunities from threats to illuminate the path of new cooperation; because Iranian intellectuals believe that 'the past is the beacon of the future' and 'behind every darkness, there is light.'
"…The presidents of the two countries have defined a sound foundation and a solid pillar for relations based on 'shared values' and 'ancient people-to-people contacts', and by emphasizing the principles of mutual respect, justice, equality, non-interference, and win-win cooperation for development, they established a model of comprehensive strategic partnership. By formulating a 25-year comprehensive cooperation plan, the two sides have enhanced mutual political solidarity and trust, and have established a solid foundation for the comprehensive cooperation of the two countries in various fields.
"Iran and China have since begun their operational cooperation in order to advance bilateralism and the development of local values, and they have defended each other's basic interests at international forums. Close political and defense coordination, exchange of high-level and party delegations, cooperation in the Belt and Road Initiative, cooperation in implementing the 'Beijing Tripartite Agreement' as the beginning of a chain of reconciliation in West Asia, cooperation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS to play a more active role in international forums; The holding of elite and think tank dialogues, close cultural cooperation, and museum exchanges – e specially the Ancient Iran Splendor Exhibition, which is now in its third stop in Xinjiang after Beijing and Shanghai – are all recent examples of the two countries' pragmatic cooperation that has been in line with the implementation of President Xi's three initiatives and has played an important role in promoting multilateralism and strengthening economic, social, cultural, and security cooperation.
"Iran and China have common interests and concerns, not only on the bilateral and regional level, but also extra-regionally and internationally. Out of strong faith in the importance of multilateralism and in the advantages of collective cooperation when it comes to the flourishing of human society, the two countries continue to closely cooperate in multilateral apparatuses, including the Shanghai [Cooperation] Organization and BRICS. Joint efforts with other members and partners, aiming at prosperity, development, and security, and responding to new global challenges, are priorities for Iran and China. I am certain that China will grant new opportunities for collective cooperation with its successful 2025 chairmanship of the Shanghai Organization.
"The two countries will continue to fly the two wings of development and security for the region and the world together and will continue with strong determination. Holding the 2024 naval security drill, which was an expression of high-level cooperation and of joint efforts to ensure maritime security, is another sign of the pragmatic and strategic cooperation between the two countries.
"The Middle East region is facing many challenges, with their core in the Palestinian cause. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which is the result of the genocide supported by some powers, has been exacerbated by the inaction of the international community and by its irresponsible behavior. The Islamic Republic [of Iran] has always defended the legitimate demand of the Palestinian people to the right of self-determination. We share the view with our Chinese friends, that an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and sending humanitarian aid are the most important priorities in Palestine's current situation.
"Regarding developments in Syria, the Islamic Republic has underlined the honoring Syria's unity, national sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and views decisionmaking regarding the future of Syria as the exclusive responsibility of the country's residents, without any destructive intervention on the part of extra-regional players. This definitive principle must be taken into account by all actors, as it is the people of the region who play a decisive role in shaping their political and social destiny, security, and development.
"We are facing unprecedented changes in the world. These changes have simultaneously confronted countries with complex 'opportunities' and 'challenges' and have placed the world at a 'historical crossroads' where they must choose between confrontation or cooperation, exclusivity or inclusiveness, closure or openness, chaos or stability.
"Although some countries are trying to distort the facts of the illusory and false division of the world into 'democratic' and 'undemocratic' and resort to the levers of 'sanctions', 'pressure' and 'double standards' to limit and force countries to choose their desired values and interests. In order to confront unilateralism and bullying, Iran and China will always insist on development and prosperity, on cooperation and friendliness between the countries of the southern hemisphere, and on the right side of history, since 'conflict and hostility' only weaken the collective interests of the international community, and there will ultimately be no winners in this field.
"As two ancient Asian civilizations, Iran and China are friends in difficult times who have successfully withstood the test of time in cooperation and have climbed 'new hills' in order to achieve 'greater heights', in order to fulfill their roles as two countries that have a responsibility in ensuring the peace and development of human society.
"'The coming golden half-century in Iran-China relations' will demonstrate that this visit is the beginning of a new chapter of strategic cooperation between the two countries – especially when, as Chinese wise men say, 'actions speak louder than words.'"[2]
