Editor's note: Hamzah Rifaat Hussain, a former visiting fellow at the Stimson Center in Washington and former assistant researcher at the Islamabad Policy Research Institute, is a TV anchor at Indus News in Pakistan. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily those of CGTN.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian held a phone conversation on September 8 to discuss bilateral cooperation between the two countries, as well as the situation surrounding the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear deal and sanctions imposed on Tehran. Both sides expressed a joint commitment towards promoting global peace and regional prosperity in the absence of coercion.

Wang Yi and Amir-Abdollahian emphasized efforts to enhance strategic cooperation between the two countries and exchanged views on regional and international dynamics. It was agreed that a strong bilateral relationship must be anchored in mutual understandings including the effective implementation of the 25-year comprehensive cooperation agreement between the two countries, which can usher in prosperity and peace. On regional and international peace, both sides agreed that all outstanding conflicts can be resolved if zero-sum approaches are shunned and more constructive approaches can take center stage.  

It is undeniable that sustainable peace in the Middle East would remain crucial for a stable global order and Tehran's legitimate concerns must be factored in by stakeholders of peace for that to materialize. Wang said that Beijing will continue to support Iran in safeguarding its legitimate rights and interests, expressing beliefs that Iran has the wisdom to cope with the changes, firmly safeguard its legitimate and lawful rights and interests, and continue to occupy the international moral high ground.

Nuclear negotiations have stood in limbo however, as former U.S. President Donald Trump's unilateral decision to withdraw from the nuclear deal has not been followed up by the Joe Biden administration seeking rapprochement with Tehran. Instead, legitimate security concerns have been ignored, which has promoted strategic imbalances in the Middle East and contributed to greater regional instability. Pernicious sanctions have also damaged Iran's economy, which has witnessed severe stagflation and rising unemployment.   

Beijing and Tehran on the other hand, have emphasized constructive approaches towards resolving conflicts, along with fostering economic cooperation, regional connectivity and global prosperity. 

In regards to conflicts, frameworks such as the Astana Process are used to settle lingering quagmires including the Syrian crisis in the absence of calls to instigate regime change and sow chaos in the Middle East.

The framework to deal with the Syrian crisis increases changes of attaining meaningful solutions to humanitarian catastrophes in the Middle East that the U.S. has otherwise failed to have been resolved due to it's hawkish foreign policy and poor diplomacy. Note that Washington's apathy towards rapprochement with Iran is precisely the reason for Tehran emphasizing its "red lines," which it would not budge on JCPOA negotiations as mentioned by Amir.

Unlike the U.S. hegemonic designs however, the 25-year cooperation agreement between China and Iran focuses on investments such as $400 billion towards reviving Iran's economy and another $120 billion geared towards upgrading transportation and infrastructure.

Such investments are also anchored in Beijing's long-standing policy of neutrality and non-interference, which is so critical for stability in the Middle East. History is otherwise replete with examples of American military involvement promoting chaos in countries such as Iraq, and contributing to the proliferation of terrorism, social breakdowns and collapse of sovereign economies.

Contrastingly, the economic progress witnessed in the Middle East as a result of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) instills greater confidence among regional states including Iran that economic development in the absence of conflict is possible. Bilaterally, there is plenty to gain as strategic cooperation with Iran touches on diverse sectors including tourism, information technology, industries and communications, irrespective of international developments.

Accordingly, there are plenty of positives for both sides to capitalize on as both foreign ministers speak of solidifying ties. In 2021, the Ebrahim Raisi administration has pursued, emphasized and advocated for a "Look to the East" policy. Also in 2021, the 21st summit of the SCO leaders in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, declared the decision to start admitting Iran as a full member of the SCO from an observer. It allowed for member states such as Iran and China to make joint efforts in maintaining world peace in the absence of hegemonic designs.

By taking bilateral relations to higher heights in 2022, China and Iran once again reaffirmed a commitment to world peace in the absence of coercion and that is precisely how it should always be.

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