BEIJING (Dispatches) -- The top diplomats of China and Iran agreed Saturday that West Asia is “not a battleground for the big powers” and should not be an arena of geopolitical competition between countries outside the region.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi agreed that “the international community should respect the sovereignty, security, stability, unity and territorial integrity of Middle East countries,” according to a readout from Beijing’s foreign ministry.
Araghchi is on his first visit to China since being appointed foreign minister of Iran.
The two major trading partners reiterated calls for a ceasefire in Gaza, the proper implementation of the ceasefire in Lebanon, and the “integrated promotion of counter-terrorism, reconciliation and humanitarian processes in Syria”, according to the readout.
“The two sides agreed that the Middle East belongs to the people of the Middle East, and is not a battleground for the big powers, and should not be a victim of geopolitical competition and conflicts between countries from outside the region,” the ministry said.
Araghchi and Wang also discussed Iran’s nuclear program. Wang told Araghchi that Beijing “firmly supports the Iranian side in safeguarding its legitimate rights and interests”.
China is Iran’s largest trading partner and a top buyer of its sanctioned oil.
“The Iran-China strategic partnership is ironclad because it’s underpinned by cultural & civilizational bonds and rooted in shared values & interests,” Araghchi wrote on X.
“With expanding conflict & terrorism in our region - amid malign attempts at domineering on the global level - Iran and China are determined more than ever to uphold the rule of law and preserve stability.
“As our joint statement today in Beijing aptly underscores: The Middle East belongs to the people of Middle East...its future and destiny should be determined by its own people.”
Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei wrote that Tehran and Beijing are determined to help enhance peace and security at the international level.
Araghchi held “very fruitful comprehensive talks with his Chinese counterpart, Member of the political bureau of CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, on a wide range of bilateral, regional and international issues of common interest,” the spokesman wrote on X.
“Iran and China, as comprehensive strategic partners are determined to expand their close consultations with a view to deepening their bilateral ties for the good of their peoples and for further contributing to the rule of law at the int’l level, peace and security.”