Dr. Abdorrezaa Farajirad told the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations that we should note that some economic projects should be defined and implemented within the framework of this agreement between Iran and China. In fact, the cooperation agreement can be effective only when such commercial projects are defined and executed.

“For example, projects in the speed train railway development, construction of modern airports, the establishment of manufacturing factories, and exploration of oil and gas are some projects which should be defined by Iran and implemented in cooperation with China.”

He said such comprehensive cooperation documents are of utmost importance but only when they are executed.

He added that the economic and commercial aspects of this cooperation agreement can create remarkable transformations in the development of Iran, saying that this indicates that Iran has decided to give priority in the development sector to cooperation with China.

“In this regard, China has entered into cooperation with other countries as well. For example, China is implementing a lot of projects in Pakistan. Beijing and Islamabad are presently implementing a 46 million dollar project which is considered strategic.”

This expert of geopolitical issues believes that Iran should be immediately preparing its projects in economic and commercial areas with the cooperation of China.

Farajirad said southern areas of Iran are in need of development while enjoying great capacities and can accommodate a large population of Iran.

“Chabahar is being developed with the help of the Indians. This is while we do have proper access to this port from various parts of our country. We should create facilities for the investors, people, and tourists to be able to enter this region.”

Asked about the strategic cooperation agreement between Iran and China and prospects of economic cooperation between the two sides, he said the Islamic Republic of Iran should be expanding its economic relations with Europe simultaneously with enhancing commercial ties with China in order to establish a balance between the two in such cooperation.

He added that Iran is in need of various technologies for its development and should compensate the shortcomings and underdevelopments caused by the US sanctions on the technology sector. Therefore, he said, it is necessary that various technologies be employed in various sectors.

On the importance of Iran-China cooperation from the geopolitical point of view, he said China is in vast competition with the United States of America and Americans are so much concerned about China’s rising power in the economy as Joe Biden said in a recent interview that he is seriously worried about China becoming the world’s number one economic power. Therefore Washington is trying to create capacities inside the country so that it could increase its economic power to prevent China from outperforming the United States in economic terms.

“We see here that China’s economic growth is rising rapidly and for this reason, Americans are exerting political pressure on China in addition to strengthening the economic pressures on Beijing which began when Trump came into power.”

He added that these pressures are being coordinated by Jo Biden administration with the Europeans as they are increasing such pressures.

Farajirad said energy is one of the main tools for China’s expansive economic growth.

“Therefore, Americans have no choice but to find ways to make it hard for China to access energy as Beijing is currently supplying a major part of its energy needs from the Persian Gulf region including from Saudi Arabia. Therefore, Americans are trying to make Saudi Arabia move towards new markets by diverting and cutting Riyadh’s sale of energy to China.”

Referring to China’s large population and its hunger for energy, Farajirad explained that the supply of energy is the priority of the Chinese government that has counted on Iran as an independent hub of energy for China.

“It seems that China is geopolitically and strategically in competition with the West and on the other hand, as Iran and West are not having good relations, China can definitely count on our country.”

Referring to the imposition of sanctions and pressures on Iran, he said China tried during the past four years of Trump sanctions to continue its cooperation with Iran and such help by China created confidence between Iran and China to help advance the implementation of the comprehensive strategic cooperation agreement between the two countries.