Veep: Iran Determined To Expand Comprehensive Ties With China

Tehran, Sept 11, IRNA – First Vice-President Mohammad-Reza Rahimi said here Monday that China is Iran’s top economic partner, adding, that Tehran is determined to expand relations with China in every field. According to the information website of the Presidential Office, Rahimi added in a meeting with the visiting Chinese Parliament Speaker Vu-Bang Ju that both countries’ ties are based on a great historical background. Rahimi added, “Iran is ready for increasing its trade volume with China up to 100 billion US dollars annually.” Referring to the illegal intervention of the United States and western powers in internal affairs of other countries, Rahimi reiterated, “The Iranian nation stands firm against the US bullying and this is an ideal we have inherited from our late Imam Khomeini (P).” He pointed out that the United States’ efforts are aimed at interfering in other countries’ affairs resorting to any possible pretest, adding, “America has illegally imposed sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran beyond the UN sanction resolutions, in cases of the Iranian oil and the Central Bank of Iran.” The 1st vice president referred to dissatisfaction of the 120 members of the Non-Aligned Movement with the totalitarian intentions of the United States, adding, “If every single one of the members of this movement would show an amount of resistance against the United States, that country would beyond doubt be urged to sit back at its place, and in this respect cooperation of fiend countries, particularly cooperation between Iran and China would be very fruitful and constructive.” Rahimi considered Iran the safest way for provision of energy for the other countries, including China, stressing, “The only country in which the United States cannot interfere is Iran, and therefore, provision of oil products from Iran is safest than ever before today.” The first vice president pointed out that China is one of the most important countries in the world with an economy that has deep and strong roots, arguing, “The Islamic Republic of Iran is ready for improving economic and trade relations with China in every field, including in oil and gas fields.” Rahimi stressed the need for accelerating the implementation of joint projects and plans, expressing hope that the Tehran visit of the Parliament Speaker of the People’s Republic of China would mark the opening of a new chapter in the two countries’ excellent relations. He said that Iran and China can relying on each other’s assistance contribute to sustainable peace at global level. Rahimi also appreciated the Chinese government’s sagacious stands regarding the ongoing Syrian crisis. The China People’s Republic Parliament Speaker Vu-Bang Gu, too, in the meeting referred to Iran as an important and influential country both in the region and in the world, arguing, “Expansion of relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran is among the strategic objectives of Beijing and China attaches great importance to its amicable relations with Tehran.” Expressing sympathy with the quake-stricken Iranian citizens in northwest Iran, he reiterated, “As you mentioned, China-Iran friendship has roots in both countries ancient times, and the people of the two countries love each other.” Gu pointed out that the present day imposed sanctions by the big powers have created some problems in the way of Iran-China trade and economic relations, adding, “The United States in particular, and the west in general, against the international laws, create problems with those Chinese firms that are related with Iran.” The Chinese Parliament Speaker added, “Expansion of economic relations between the two countries serves the interests of both nations and that is why the Iranian and Chinese officials, including the two countries parliamentarians attach significant importance to further expansion of relations.” He meanwhile both thanked and congratulated the successful hosing of the Non-Aligned Movement Summit but the Islamic Republic of Iran despite the pressure imposed by big world powers. Vu-bang Gu concluded his remarks arguing that one of the objectives of his visit of Iran was strengthening bilateral relations, adding, “Beijing is interested in expansion of its economic and business relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran, particularly in gas and oil fields, and the two countries’ efforts must be focused on finding ways to pass through sanctions.” /end