Dr. Seyyed Kamal Kharrazi, President of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations, made these remarks today during a meeting with a delegation of Chinese think tanks visiting Tehran to participate in the “Third Iran–China Dialogue Forum.” He expressed hope that their visit would positively enhance their understanding of Iran’s realities.

He emphasized, “Despite the deep historical ties and extensive political relations between our two countries, mutual understanding between the Iranian and Chinese peoples has yet to reach a desirable level. The public in both nations still lacks adequate knowledge of one another. In this regard, research institutes and think tanks can play a pivotal role in fostering greater mutual awareness.”

The President of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations added, “We hope that through the formulation of an action plan for implementing the Comprehensive Cooperation Document—and building upon the realistic and principled positions taken by the Chinese government regarding UN sanctions against Iran—both sides can take effective, practical steps to strengthen bilateral relations further.”

Dr. Kharrazi also advised the Chinese delegation not to rely solely on news and analyses disseminated by Western media outlets or think tanks when seeking to understand Iran-related issues. Instead, he encouraged them to place greater emphasis on reports and analyses produced by Iranian media and research institutions.

For their part, members of the Chinese delegation shared their impressions from the visit, expressing astonishment at the Iranian people’s national cohesion and commitment to independence—particularly evident following the recent 12-day war involving the Zionist regime and the United States against Iran. They underscored that Iran has demonstrated its strength both politically and militarily. The delegation noted that over 80% of Chinese public opinion supported Iran during this conflict.

The Chinese delegates further stressed the necessity of reinforcing Iran–China relations through the development programs of both countries. They affirmed that it is imperative to deepen cooperation—both within the BRICS and Shanghai Cooperation Organization frameworks—and called for enhanced joint engagement by the two nations on the international stage.