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Monday, 25 January 2016 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Reuters: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday (23 January) called for closer economic and security ties with China, saying Iran had never trusted the West, as the two countries agreed to increase bilateral trade more than 10-fold to $ 600 billion in the next decade.
Iran’s most powerful figure told Chinese President Xi Jinping during a visit that Iran wanted to expand ties with “more independent countries,” adding the United States was “not honest” in the fight against terrorism in the region.
“Iranians never trusted the West... That’s why Tehran seeks cooperation with more independent countries (like China),” Khamenei said.
“Iran is the most reliable country in the region for energy since its energy policies will never be affected by foreigners,” Khamenei was quoted by his official website as saying at a meeting with Xi.
Xi is the second leader of a UN Security Council member to visit Tehran since the nuclear deal Iran struck with world powers last year. Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Tehran in November.
Iran emerged from years of economic isolation this month when the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog ruled it had curbed its nuclear program, clearing the way for the lifting of UN, US and European Union sanctions.
President Hassan Rouhani said Iran and China have agreed to increase trade to $ 600 billion in the next 10 years, at a news conference with Xi broadcast live on state television.
Iran and China signed 17 accords on Saturday, including on cooperation in nuclear energy and a revival of the ancient Silk Road trade route, known in China as One Belt, One Road.
Khamenei said Iran would never forget Chinese cooperations during the sanctions.
“The China-Iran friendship ... has stood the test of the vicissitudes of the international landscape,” Xi was quoted as saying by China’s Xinhua news agency.
The Chinese state-backed Global Times newspaper said in an editorial on Saturday that China hoped to improve ties with Iran as part of its sweeping plan to rebuild trade links with Europe and Asia and carve out new markets for its goods.
While China seeks closer ties with Iran, earlier this week it signaled its support for Yemen’s government, which is fighting an Iran-allied militia, during Xi’s visit to Saudi Arabia, Iran’s rival for influence in the region.
Iran has called on China to join the fight against the Islamic State militant group and play a more active role in the region.
Tehran is widely credited with convincing Russia to start its military intervention in Syria and join the fight against Islamic State.
