No Power Can Undermine Iran-China Ties: Rouhani


TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian President Hassan Rouhani hailed Tehran’s strong bonds with Beijing, saying that Iran is keen to reinforce cooperation with China, particularly after the removal of anti-Iran sanctions.

“In the new era (after the implementation of a nuclear deal signed between Tehran and world powers and removal of anti-Iran sanctions), the Islamic Republic of Iran will not forget its friends who maintained their good ties with the Iranian nation in hard times,” Rouhani said in a Monday meeting with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.

The meeting was held in New York on the sidelines of the 70th Session of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

“We are sure our relations with China are so (strong) that no other power can influence the good ties between the two countries,” Rouhani added.

He further said that Tehran welcomes Chinese companies’ cooperation and participation in Iran’s projects in competition with European companies after the termination of the sanctions.

“Iran and China can have good interactions in different fields including construction of industrial towns and technology parks as well as infrastructures,” the Iranian president went on to say.

He also highlighted the capacities for Iran-China cooperation in such fields as energy, transit, development of Chabahar port in southern Iran, and participation in the construction of Silk Road.

Rouhani’s remarks came against a backdrop of finalization of the text of a comprehensive nuclear deal between Iran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany).

The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), reached on July 14, will terminate all nuclear–related sanctions imposed on Tehran after coming into force.