Chinese envoy urges enhanced Tehran, Beijing ties

Chinese Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Iran Pang Sen on Saturday, urged improvement of China-Iran cooperation in order to build the Silk Road economic belt, AVA Diplomatic reports.

In an article he referred to the historic relations between Iran and China through Silk Road, adding that in October 2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping ‘put forward the strategic initiative of jointly building the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road (the Belt and Road).

After more than one year’s preparation, he added, the initiative has come to the stage of implementation.

‘In March 2015, the Chinese government issued the Visions and Actions on Jointly Building Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road. As stated in the paper, the initiative aims at strengthening policy coordination, facilities connectivity, unimpeded trade, financial integration and people-to-people bonds,’ read the artile titled ‘Silk Road and China-Iran cooperation’.

The Chinese top diplomat in Tehran wrote that the initiative intends ‘to create a new regional cooperation platform and draw the related countries to make plans together and benefit together’.

‘This initiative will not only add energy and vitality to the ancient Silk Road, but will also give new impetus to China-Iran cooperation.’

He also referred to the recent discussions between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Iranian counterpart President Hassan Rouhani and noted ‘under their guidance, China-Iran cooperation has seen a quick development in almost every area.’

Pang underscored that ‘China and Iran are both countries with important regional influence and comparative advantage.’

‘Closer and broader cooperation between the two countries will surely benefit the two peoples.’

According to the Chinese ambassadorm ‘the Belt and Road initiative will bring a brighter prospect of cooperation between the two countries, and start a new chapter of friendship between the two peoples.’