TEHRAN – The head of the Iran-China Friendship Association says the 25-year cooperation agreement between Iran and China is a solid foundation for strengthening and developing bilateral relations between the two countries.

Alaeddin Boroujerdi emphasized the necessity of further strengthening and expanding friendly relations between the two countries during a meeting with Cong Peiwu, the new Chinese ambassador to Iran. He described the 25-year cooperation agreement as a solid foundation for developing relations.

Boroujerdi described the 25-year cooperation agreement between Iran and China as a solid foundation for strengthening and developing bilateral relations. He emphasized, "We believe in taking practical steps to develop relations because enough documents and agreements have been signed between the two countries."

Cong Peiwu who recently arrived in Tehran, held his first official meeting in his new role with Boroujerdi on Thursday, May 16, the day after presenting his credentials to Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian.

This two-hour meeting, attended by the Chinese embassy's political advisor, several embassy staff members, and board members of the Iran-China Friendship Association, covered a wide range of topics and issues related to bilateral relations.

The new Chinese ambassador noted that he chose his first official meeting after submitting his credentials to be with the head of the Iran-China Friendship Association, indicating the importance of the association's role in facilitating the strengthening and development of bilateral relations in various fields.

Boroujerdi welcomed the new Chinese ambassador and wished him success during his mission in Iran. He stated, "We in the Iran-China Friendship Association closely monitor the relations between the two countries and believe that there are third countries, particularly the United States, that are not interested in the expansion of friendly relations between Iran and China. They use anti-China sentiments as tools to obstruct the development of friendly Iran-China relations."

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.