China wants to strengthen and deepen its “strategic trust” with Iran, the China’s government’s top-level diplomats on Tuesday told Iranian foreign minister, days ahead of Saudi Arabia crown prince Mohammed bin Salman visit to Beijing, underlining China facing difficulties in the Middle East balancing act.
China has always, traditionally, played a small role in Middle East diplomacy or conflicts, despite its reliance over the region for oil, but also has been trying to raise some of its profits, specifically in the Arab region.
According to Reuters news reports, Saudi crown prince, also known as MBS, is scheduled to pay an official visit to Beijing later this week. However, China needs to walk a fine line, as it has close relations with Saudi’s region foe, Iran.
While meeting Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javed Zarif at the state guest house in Beijing, Chinese state councillor Wang Yi stated he had watched Zarif’s speech delivered on Sunday at the Munich security conference.
In brief remarks front of reporters, Wang said: “I saw on television how you defended the rights of Iran loud and clear at the Munich Security Conference. I think an audience of hundreds of millions of Chinese also watched what you said and you are a famous person now.”
He added, “I would like to take this opportunity to have this in-depth strategic communication with my old friend to deepen the strategic trust between our two countries and to ensure fresh progress of the bilateral comprehensive and strategic partnership.”
Zarif is in Beijing accompanied by a team of delegations including Iranian speaker of parliament Ali Larijani, and Bijan Zanganeh, oil minister.
Zarif said, “Our relationship with China is very valuable to us. We consider the comprehensive strategic partnership between Iran and China as one of our most important relations.”
United States allies had opposed Washington’s last year’s decision by President Donald Trump abandoning Iran nuclear deal, including Russia and China, under which the international sanctions were imposed on Iran.