China as a country which can be referred to as the most successful country in controlling Corona pandemic that could quickly relieve herself from it, attained 18.3% growth in her GDP during the first quarter of 2021, in comparison with the similar period in 2020. Today, China is still exercising her new global situation and continues to promote the value of international cooperation in different countries, to introduce regional trade agreements, and to create new global chain values in new situations.

In view of the said facts, one should admit that China has no serious rival in the field of international economic cooperation in the world. The global pandemic crisis led countries to more reliance on China and less dependence on the U.S. which is an unprecedented event of this type. For example, China turned out to become the first European Union trade partner in 2020, the position which the U.S. had earlier. The number of trains exchanged between Europe and China in 2020 amounted to 12400 which was 50% more than 2019 and more than seven times of 2016. During 2005 – 2020, investment contracts and “Made in China” commodities in Latin America amounted to $ 183 billion. During the same period, China invested nearly $ 303 billion in South Africa and another $ 197 billion in Middle East and North African (MENA) countries.

Yet, we should remember that bright perspectives and progresses of China have been tied with some long term and new challenges. For example, until June 2020 foreign debts of several African countries to China were more than 25% of their total foreign debts. (Angola, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Cameroon, Ethiopia, and Zambia are in this list). In the meantime, China has upgraded and promoted the capabilities of her military base in Djibouti where it can now host aircraft carriers, which resulted and has direct link with the increase of economic presence of China in Africa.

The same characteristics apply to Asian countries too. Broad debates deal with policies that Rodrigo Duterte (President of the Philippines) is following, which are mostly criticized because of the concessions given to China against the promised investments in the country. Recently, the President of the Philippines was sharply criticized because of the Chinese control over the fishing regions in the South China Sea. However, contrary to Duterte policies, Joko Widodo, President of Indonesia has practiced balanced policy between the two superpowers, which has led to have good and balanced relations with China and the U.S. He has recently received a considerable number of vaccines from both countries. Another example of controversial and heated debate on dependence of Asian countries is Sri Lankan “debt trap” which led to renting the Hambantota Harbor to China.

An increase of Chinese presence in international bodies and organizations affiliated with the United Nations is also among the important issues that completes the Chinese economic diplomacy puzzle. China is the second-largest sponsor of the United Nations and manages 15 UN-affiliated international organizations. China has properly utilized this capacity in line with the increase of the world attention to the development of her One Belt, One Route initiative. Despite the liberal system of the West has offered an upper hand to China in line with her economic development and expansion of her political influence throughout the world, China is one of the main critics of the injustice that emanated from the system for South countries of the world.

Yet, China as a part of a different international system is both donating and receiving interests. In March 2021, new development bank of BRICS granted a loan of $ one billion to China to improve her economy. It is also expected that Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) will assist China to implement her “Made in China 2025” strategy and thus guarantee the Chinese enterprises’ access to the supply chain. Moreover, in every multilateral opportunity, China stresses on a common initiative to fight against the covid-19 pandemic, consequently, has improved her international image.

China has, evidently, recovered her historic position as well as her economic and political importance throughout the world. One Belt, One Route initiative is assessed in line with this. China has turned out to become the gateway of world economic growth. A country that deprives itself of the economic benefits of relations with China within the next decade will be left behind her economic growth and development. Today, the development of relations with China is a priority for all countries of the world. The Zionist regime is not excluded from the fact. Investment and development of Haifa port project and establishing the regional transport hub of the Mediterranean from the port is in line with this, which will lead to deepening relations of the regime with China. Naturally, where there are economic interests there will automatically be political supports too. To conclude, Iran should also secure her best interests by finding and strengthen her place in Chinese economic and trade diplomacy puzzle of the Middle East.