China and Iran to deepen strategic trust and cultural exchanges
Updated 14:11, 22-Feb-2019
Wang Peng
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Editor's note: Wang Peng is an associate research fellow at the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies, Renmin University of China, and a researcher at the Charhar Institute. The article reflects the author's opinion, and not necessarily the views of CGTN.
Both China and Iran have a strong will to deepen their mutual strategic trust, as Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif reconfirmed in the meeting in Beijing on Tuesday.

A high-ranking delegation meeting at a strategic time

At this strategically meaningful moment, a high-ranking delegation came to Beijing directly from Tehran. This 40-top-official team includes Iranian Islamic Parliamentary Speaker Dr. Ali Larijani, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and a dozen of ministers and vice-ministers in energy, petroleum, transportation, finance, the CEO of Iranian central bank, and more.
An Iranian delegation led by Iranian Islamic Parliamentary Speaker Dr. Ali Larijani (7th L) has visited Renmin University of China, Beijing. /Photo by Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies.

An Iranian delegation led by Iranian Islamic Parliamentary Speaker Dr. Ali Larijani (7th L) has visited Renmin University of China, Beijing. /Photo by Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies.

As the international media predicted, the major purpose of this visit was to preserve the 2015 nuclear deal, which was signed by the U.S. in Obama's era but was abandoned by Trump Administration last year.
In November 2018, the U.S. re-imposed oil and economic sanctions against Iran; later, John Bolton, U.S. National Security Adviser, threatened more sanctions would follow.
Apparently, in Iran's eyes, this Trumpian “withdrawal” was “driven by pathological obsession”; and hence any attempts to reimpose sanctions on Iran again are illegal and unacceptable.
In the circumstances, Iran considers the comprehensive strategic partnership with China as one of their most important relations. “(The Iran-China Relations) is very valuable to us," underlined Minister Zarif.
Li Zhanshu, the Chinese National People's Congress Chairman met his Iranian counterpart Larijani and, in separate talks, Iranian delegators including ministers of finance and petroleum and the CEO of the country's central bank also had a meeting with other Chinese officials.
China's standpoints on the Iran deal and unilateral sanctions are clear and consistent. As foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said, “We have always opposed unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction.” This position has been reaffirmed and stressed during this visit.
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang's remarks on the regular press conference, February 19, 2019. /Photo from Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Geng Shuang's remarks on the regular press conference, February 19, 2019. /Photo from Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China.

What should be noticed is that China is not alone in this affair. Last month, a barter-type system known as INSTEX was set up by France, Germany and Britain to allow businesses to skirt direct financial transactions with Iran, in order to evade possible U.S. sanctions, fell short of commitments to save the nuclear deal.
China and Europe's independent attitude toward the Iran nuclear issue may encourage more states to reconsider their optimum strategy in this tough "high wire walk” between U.S. pressure and the lure of business opportunities in Iran.

Silk Road spirit and China-Iran educational cooperation

President Xi Jinping often cites the ancient Chinese saying that, “Amity between people holds the key to sound relations between states”. Harmony is built on the basis of mutual understanding and cooperation between people.
And among all tools, educational cooperation and exchange between young scholars and students may serve as the best approach to validate bilateral ties fundamentally.
It is clear that the Iranian guests agree with Xi's assertion above; and so, the delegation chose Renmin University of China (RUC) as their last destination to end this successful visit by meeting and chatting with a number of young and outstanding Chinese students.
Before delivering his keynote speech at the Chongyang Forum, Dr. Ali Larijani sincerely thanked Renmin University of China for their longstanding and unremitting efforts in promoting China-Iran people-to-people exchange and cultural-educational cooperation.
Iranian Islamic Parliamentary Speaker Dr. Ali Larijani (L) is giving a speech at Renmin University of China, Beijing. /Photo by Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies.

Iranian Islamic Parliamentary Speaker Dr. Ali Larijani (L) is giving a speech at Renmin University of China, Beijing. /Photo by Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies.

He especially appreciated the newly established Silk Road School, and promised to recommend the “most promising Iranian young students” to study in the School, which runs a Master Program of Contemporary Chinese Studies and plays a key role to actively support the China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in education with participating countries.
Liu Wei, the president of RUC thanked Dr. Larijani for his encouragement and promised to further the RUC's educational platform with its high-level think-tank resources to train future elite leaders for Iran and all friendly countries along the BRI.
Proper training will offer them a passion for Chinese culture, and help them understand profoundly the path and experience of China's development.
In conclusion, as Professor Wang Wen, the executive dean of Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies at RUC summarized, this Iranian delegation to China has taken a great opportunity in enjoying this in-depth strategic communication with their old friends and deepening strategic trust between the two great nations.
We can ensure and expect to witness the fresh progress made in the bilateral comprehensive and strategic partnership between two splendid ancient civilizations and their rejuvenation in modern times.
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