China Pledges Deeper Cooperation with Iran at SCO Meeting
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi reaffirmed China's commitment to enhancing strategic collaboration with Iran during a high-level meeting in Astana, Kazakhstan. The talks, held on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) foreign ministers' summit, spotlighted plans to boost political, economic, and cultural ties between the two nations.
Wang, a senior member of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, expressed condolences over the recent passing of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. He emphasized China's confidence in Iran's leadership under Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to maintain stability and pursue long-term development goals. \"China stands with Iran,\" Wang stated, highlighting mutual efforts to safeguard shared interests and promote global peace.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Mehdi Safari praised China's \"firm support\" and confirmed Tehran's commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation. He also thanked Beijing for its role in mediating regional diplomacy, including the historic reconciliation between Iran and Saudi Arabia.
The meeting underscores China's growing influence in Eurasia through platforms like the SCO, which connects Asian and Middle Eastern nations on economic and security issues. Analysts say the partnership could reshape trade routes and energy dynamics in the region.
