Dr Kamal Kharrazi, on the first day of his visit to China at the invitation of the International Ministry of the Chinese Communist Party, attended at Beijing International Studies University and addressed students, professors, and chancellor of the university.

Attending at the 40^th anniversary of the beginning of China’s reforms, Dr Kharrazi was welcomed by the university chancellor and called for wider ties between the two countries’ universities.

 Also, the university chancellor hailed the development of bilateral relations and provided explanations on the activities of the university, including the introduction of the Persian language course and the Center for the Study of One Belt – One Road Project.

The former ambassador of China to Iran, Hua Liming, also attended the meeting and talked about the formation of the Islamic Revolution that was welcomed by the Iranian people under the leadership of Imam Khomeini. He stated that Iran has stood against the US bullying for 40 years because it wants to maintain its independence.

“Iran and China emphasize their independence and demand the prosperity and development of their peoples,” he noted.

The ex-ambassador to Iran also said that he is glad that the current level of China-Iran bilateral relations is expanding and that their economic ties have developed several-folded.

In his speech, Dr. Kharrazi while examining the current status of relations between the two countries, described Iran’s regional policies in recent years and said: “Political developments or significant events that have affected Iran’s domestic and foreign policy include Arab revolutions that originated from Tunisia, the spread of Takfiri terrorism in the region that was supported by  some regional countries, Iran’s nuclear agreement with 5 + 1, and finally the coming to power of Donald Trump and the US exit of the nuclear deal.”

The SCFR Chairman said: “What is being pursued today by Trump in relation with the Islamic Republic of Iran is followed by the United States in other parts of the world. The US goal in its new strategy is to restore its lost power and turn it into a unique power within the framework of the formation of the unipolar system of the world.”

He added: “Our policy is to work more closely with other countries in the world, especially with Russia, China, India and Europe, against the afore-mentioned US policy.”

Dr Kharrazi said: “Our relations with all the countries in the Far East are friendly, and of course, Iran’s relations with the great and historic China are of great importance. With no country in the world, the level of Iran’s economic relations is as strong as its ties with China, and we hope it will further increase on the basis of agreements already reached between the two countries. There are huge capacities between the two countries that are not yet fully utilized.”

He added: “Therefore, it is necessary for the two countries of China and Iran to increase their level of cooperation within the framework of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership that was approved by the Presidents of the two countries in 2016 in Tehran. Such cooperation can guarantee the long-term energy security of China, and strengthen regional cooperation in the context of One Belt – One Road project.

In the end, he offered the following suggestions for the development of cooperation in strategic relations between the two countries:

1- Continuing One Belt – One Road project by connecting the Iranian road and rail lines along the two routes of the south to north and east to west.

2- Revitalization of the naval line of the old silk road in the context of One Belt – One Road project.

3- Investment in continuing the path of One Belt – One Road project.

4- Participation in the reconstruction and development of Iraq and Syria.

5- Strategic cooperation between the three countries of Iran, China and Pakistan.

6- Cooperation between Iran and China in the energy sector.

7- Provision of a framework for expanding cooperation between the two countries.

I suggest that China’s Communist Party International Ministry of Foreign Affairs, that provides reports to the Chinese leadership, and the Strategic Council for Foreign Relations of the Islamic Republic of Iran, a consultative apparatus that gives advice to Iran’s leader, have periodic talks in Tehran and Beijing to scrutinize and prepare plans for the two countries’ senior officials and provide the ground for establishing a strategic partnership.