TEHRAN – China's newly-appointed ambassador to Iran, Cong Peiwu, has commenced his official duties by presenting his credentials on Wednesday to Hossein Amir Abdollahian, Iran’s minister of foreign affairs.

Iranian foreign minister extended a warm welcome to the Chinese ambassador, conveying his sincere wishes for success in his crucial diplomatic mission. 

Amir Abdollahian also paid tribute to the former Chinese ambassador's efforts in strengthening Tehran-Beijing relations, expressing confidence in Ambassador Cong's commitment to advancing bilateral ties and executing agreements across diverse sectors.

Ambassador Cong, in turn, expressed his gratification and privilege in undertaking his diplomatic responsibilities in the Islamic Republic of Iran, relaying greetings from his Chinese counterpart to Amir Abdollahian.

During the meeting, Ambassador Cong underscored the extensive history of Tehran-Beijing relations, highlighting the reciprocal visits of both countries' presidents to each other's capitals. He emphasized the enduring nature of these ties, spanning over two millennia, and underscored China's president and foreign minister's keen interest in bolstering relations with Iran.

China holds the position of being Iran’s primary trading ally. Both nations face varying degrees of unlawful sanctions imposed by the United States. 

In recent times, the two countries’ relationship has grown stronger, notably following the reimplementation of sanctions on Iran's economy by the U.S. in 2018, subsequent to its unilateral withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear agreement.

In March 2021, Iran and China entered into a significant 25-year partnership deal, aiming to bolster their enduring economic and political bond.