China says expects ‘in-depth' talks during Iranian foreign minister's visit
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will be in Beijing this week for in-depth talks on China-Iran bilateral ties.. PHOTO: EPA-EFE
BEIJING – Beijing said it expected 'in-depth' talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi during his visit to China this week, adding that the two countries would work on 'deepening political mutual trust'.
'Both sides will have in-depth exchanges on China-Iran bilateral relations and international and regional hotspot issues of mutual concern,' foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said on April 22.
The visit to China by Tehran's top diplomat comes ahead of a third round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States.
Mr Araghchi previously visited China in December. Beijing was a signatory to a since-abandoned 2015 agreement that reigned in Tehran's nuclear programme.
China is Iran's largest commercial partner and the main buyer of its oil, with Tehran still under crushing US sanctions.
Around 92 per cent of Iranian oil heads towards China, according to Iranian media, and is often sold at a considerable discount.
In 2021, Tehran and Beijing signed a comprehensive 25-year strategic agreement covering energy, security, infrastructure and communications among other areas.
China on April 22 hailed its 'traditional friendship' with Iran.
'The two countries have maintained mutual respect, trust, and support, promoting the healthy and stable development of bilateral relations and contributing to regional and global peace and stability,' Mr Guo said.
The 2015 accord, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), was also signed by four other permanent UN Security Council members – Britain, France, Russia, and the US – along with Germany and the European Union.
US President Donald Trump withdrew from the agreement in 2018, during his first term, which prompted Iran to breach its terms a year later.
Since returning to office in January, Mr Trump has called for nuclear talks with Tehran while at the same time threatening military action.
Western nations have long accused Iran of pursuing nuclear weapons, something that Tehran denies.
The Iranian foreign ministry said earlier this week that Mr Araghchi's visit would start on April 22, though China said it would be on April 23. AFP
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