Iran-China friendship, co-op historic

Iran and China’s age-old historical ties are devoid of hostilities and filled with instances of friendship and cooperation, says Head of Tehran University, Mahmoud Nili Ahmadabadi, AVA Diplomatic reports.

He said on Monday in the opening ceremony of Chinese language and literature major in Tehran University with the presence of Chinese Ambassador, Pang Sen, that the Silk Road has continuously been considered as a symbol and nostalgic subject.

He said that the amount of investments and trade exchanges between Iran and China has increased from $400 million to $20b in a short time and is predicted to reach $100b in the near future.

‘Language is one of the most important parameters in improving ties between two countries, so we believe that developing Chinese language in Iran and Persian in China will contribute in exchanges and cooperation,’ he said.

Hoping to maintain the current state of affairs between the two countries, Ahmadabadi said that this can only lead to cultural closeness and intellectual exchanges with Chinese universities.

Improvements in the universities in Iran is obvious, he said adding that the local universities will be a direct benefactor of the P5+1 agreement in July.

The Silk Road has connected Iran to China for over two thousands years, resulting in strong ties between two countries up to now, said Pang Sen on his part.

Sen said that there is strong cooperation in energy, automobile manufacturing, building industrial park, etc. between two countries.

He emphasized that Chinese government is pleased with P5+1 agreement because it will provide not only an international atmosphere for Iran but also a suitable opportunity for cooperation.

The two countries’ request for expert human resources is also increasing, he pointed out.