MESOPOTAMIA NEWS : Reports From MEMRI’s Chinese Media Studies Project
|
|
||
On March 24, 2021, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi embarked on a seven-day Middle East tour, stopping in Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Iran, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Oman, and Bahrain. The visit to Iran resulted in the signing of a 25-year comprehensive cooperation agreement between Beijing and Teheran, which, according to official sources, is intended to serve as a roadmap for long-term cooperation in a variety of fields, without including any quantitative, specific contracts. In an April 2, 2021 op-ed in the Beijing Daily, titled “The 25-Year Comprehensive Cooperation Agreement Between China And Iran: The ‘Road To Middle East Diplomacy With Chinese Characteristics’ Is Getting Wider And Wider,” Renmin University professor Li Kunze assessed that the China-Iran deal is “an important milestone in Sino-Iranian relations.” He argued that the deal represents China’s “unique” diplomatic approach in the Middle East, which he said stands in “stark contrast” to Washington’s “hegemonic” foreign policy. He added that the signing of the cooperation agreement is only the beginning of a growing China-Iran “comprehensive strategic partnership.” Below is Li Kunze’s article: ‘China’s Circle Of Friends In The Middle East Is Getting Wider And Wider“Recently, a 25-year comprehensive cooperation agreement between China and Iran was formally signed. This is the first time that Iran has signed a comprehensive strategic cooperation agreement with a foreign country, and it is also an important milestone in Sino-Iranian relations. “The intention to reach this comprehensive cooperation agreement was jointly confirmed in 2016, when China and Iran established a comprehensive strategic partnership. Over the past five years, the two countries have exchanged views and strengthened consensus at high levels many times, which eventually led to the aforementioned fruitful outcome. In the author’s view, the long-term mutual cooperation between China and Iran is also a microcosm of China’s Middle East diplomacy. We have opened a ‘road of Middle East diplomacy with Chinese characteristics’ in the complicated international relations of the Middle East with our friendly attitude and unique wisdom. “In its diplomacy, China has always upheld the spirit of the ‘Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence,’ which has gained widespread recognition in the Middle East. The majority of Middle Eastern countries firmly supported China’s legitimate demands when it reclaimed its legitimate seat at the United Nations in 1971. The Middle East countries reacted positively to the ‘Belt and Road’ initiative after it was proposed [in 2013]. China has formed comprehensive strategic partnerships with Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates during this time, as well as strategic partnerships with Qatar and Jordan and innovative comprehensive partnerships with Israel. It can be said that China’s ‘circle of friends’ in the Middle East is getting wider and wider. “The Middle East, as is well known, is located in the heart of Asia and Europe, with many countries, complex situations, and conflicts, and has long been the target of foreign intervention by foreign powers. The Middle East region has been in a constant state of war and slow economic development due to the games between the great powers and internal conflicts. As a result, many extraterritorial powers are viewed with suspicion in the Middle East. How does China enjoy such a favorable reputation? It is because, in our diplomacy, we promote a civilizational concept of tolerance and mutual appreciation over dichotomy and confrontation.” www.mesop.de |