Beijing (TDI): China said on Tuesday that it expected “detailed” discussions with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi during his trip to Beijing this week, adding the two nations would work on “deepening political mutual trust”.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun stated that the two sides will in engage in comprehensive talks on China-Iran bilateral ties and global and regional matters of shared interest.
Araghchi’s trip to China takes place ahead of the third round of nuclear negotiations between Iran and the US.
He previously visited China, which was a signatory to a since-abandoned 2015 deal that reigned in Iran’s nuclear program in December.
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China remains Tehran’s largest trading partner and primary purchaser of its oil, despite Iran continuing to face severe US sanctions.
Nearly 92% of Iranian oil heads towards China, according to Iranian media, and is often sold at a considerable discount.
Iran and China inked a comprehensive 25-year strategic deal in 2021, encompassing key sectors such as energy, security, infrastructure and communications.
Beijing on Tuesday hailed its “traditional friendship” with Tehran.
“China and Iran have maintained mutual respect, trust, and support, promoting the healthy and stable development of bilateral ties and contributing to regional and international peace and stability,” Guo said.
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The 2015 agreement, officially called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, was also inked by the four other permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) France, Russia, UK, and the US, Germany and the European Union.
US President Donald Trump withdrew from the deal in 2018, during his first tenure in White House.
Since returning to the power in January, the US President has urged nuclear negotiations with Iran, while simultaneously issuing threats of military action.
Western countries have long accused Tehran of pursuing nuclear weapons, something Iran denies.
Farkhund Yousafzai is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
