Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. File | Photo credit: Reuters
The top diplomats of China and Iran said on Saturday (December 28, 2024) that West Asia “is not a battleground for great powers” and should not become a site of geopolitical competition between countries outside the region. Agreed.
According to a statement from the Beijing Foreign Ministry, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi agreed that “the international community should respect the sovereignty, security, stability, unity, and territorial integrity of Middle Eastern countries.”
Araghchi visited China for the first time since being appointed as Iran’s foreign minister.
The two countries’ major trading partners reiterated their calls for a ceasefire in Gaza, proper implementation of the ceasefire in Lebanon, and “the integrated promotion of counter-terrorism, reconciliation and humanitarian processes in Syria,” the statement said.
“Both sides agreed that the Middle East (West Asia) belongs to the people of the Middle East (West Asia), is not a battlefield for great powers, and should not become a victim of geopolitical competition or conflict between the two countries. outside the region,” the ministry said.
Both China and Iran were supporters of ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Syria’s new leader, Ahmed al-Shara, is an ardent opponent of Tehran.
Araghchi and Wang also discussed Iran’s nuclear program, which governments including Britain and the United States say may be headed toward producing weapons.
Tensions have been rising over Iran’s nuclear ambitions since then-President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the landmark deal that traded sanctions relief and limits on Iran’s nuclear program.
China is a signatory to the agreement, and Wang told Araghchi on Saturday (December 28, 2024) that the Chinese government “resolutely supports the Iranian side in safeguarding its legitimate rights and interests.” said.
China is Iran’s largest trading partner and largest buyer of sanctioned oil.
issued – December 28, 2024 10:28 PM IST
