Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is currently undertaking a visit to Beijing, engaging in high-level discussions with Chinese officials aimed at bolstering comprehensive strategic partnership, reviewing bilateral agreements, and briefing allies on Iran’s diplomatic efforts, including its indirect talks with the United States.
Araghchi’s visit kicked off with an important meeting today at the Great Hall of the People with Ding Xuexiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the First Vice Premier. This meeting holds particular weight as Ding reportedly oversees areas relevant to Iran, particularly in the economic sector, and is noted for his strong familiarity with the country, having previously worked in Iran and visited Tehran and met with senior Iranian officials.
According to the readout by Iranian Foreign Ministry from the meeting, both sides referenced the long history of friendly relations between the two nations and reviewed the latest status of cooperation within the framework of the comprehensive strategic partnership. A key focus was exchanging views on ways to accelerate the implementation of the 25-year comprehensive cooperation program, a top-level document guiding the multifaceted relationship.
Foreign Minister Araghchi underscored China’s position as a “strategic and reliable partner” for the Iran, emphasizing the importance of expanding cooperation at both bilateral and multilateral levels, specifically mentioning the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the BRICS group.
Elaborating on Iran’s Asian policy and current regional and international developments, Araghchi stressed the necessity of closer interaction among “like-minded countries,” such as Iran and China, to counter “bullying and unilateralism.” He reiterated Iran’s firm resolve to comprehensively expand relations with China.
Discussing regional and international affairs, Araghchi presented Iran’s views, particularly highlighting the serious dangers arising from the continuation of the “genocide” by Israel in Palestine and its “warmongering” in the surrounding environment, as well as the repeated “aggressions by the United States against Yemen.” He emphasized the urgent need for an effective and immediate global reaction to stop lawlessness and prevent the “law of the jungle” from dominating international relations.
A significant part of the discussion involved Foreign Minister Araghchi briefing Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang on the progress of the indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States concerning the nuclear issue and the lifting of sanctions. Araghchi reportedly stated that Iran, despite “bitter past experiences,” has entered the diplomatic path with “good faith and seriousness.”
Iranian Foreign Minister is also set to meet his Chinese counterpart to discuss a range of issues of mutual interest. He is also carrying a written message from Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The timing of this visit is particularly notable, occurring just ahead of the third round of indirect talks between Iran and the US, which are scheduled to continue in Oman this Saturday, April 26th. This trip to Beijing also follows Araghchi’s visit to Moscow last week, prior to the previous round of talks with the US, where he delivered a message from Iran’s Leader to Russian President Vladimir Putin. While the US talks are an important theme, the strategic importance of the Iranian Foreign Minister’s high-level meetings with Chinese officials like the First Vice Premier is equally emphasized.
Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang expressed pleasure at the comprehensive expansion of relations across all areas, describing the strategic partnership as a product of mutual trust and respect based on the common interests of the two nations. He stressed the resolve of China’s leadership to further enhance relations and cooperation with Iran in all fields of mutual interest.
Ding described the strengthening of coordination and interaction between Iran and China as important for safeguarding multilateralism and the rule of law at the international level, characterizing the cooperation between the two countries as a “valuable example of South-South cooperation.” Crucially, the First Vice Premier emphasized China’s support for Iran’s efforts to lift sanctions and for the ongoing discussions regarding the nuclear issue.
The frequency of high-level Iranian visits to China in recent months is also linked to Beijing holding the rotating presidency of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) this year. This role is facilitating numerous exchanges between senior officials from member states. In this context, the Head of Iran’s Judiciary recently concluded a visit to China, and visits by other Iranian ministers, including the Minister of Health in the coming days, are also anticipated. Separately, Iran’s Minister of Culture is currently in Hong Kong attending an Asian cultural cooperation forum.
