China will not confront Iran for sake of Saudi Arabia: Former top Chinese envoy
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BEIJING – China will not confront with Iran for the sake of Saudi Arabia and has growing ties with both countries, China's former ambassador to Iran told the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) on Saturday.
'The relations of China with the two big West Asian countries, which are large producers of energy, is friendly; and unlike the US, China doesn’t intended to create a discord between them ,'said Hua Liming regarding the Saudi crown prince's presence in Beijing one day after Speaker of Majlis (Iranian Parliament) Ali Larijani's visit to the Chinese capital.
Saying that Iran is the biggest power in the region and has longstanding ties with China, he added, 'Iran Majlis speaker was accompanied by three ministers and the governor of Iran Central Bank on his visit to China, which shows the importance of political and economic relations between Beijing and Tehran.'
Larijani made a three-day visit to China at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart Li Zhanshu to strengthen parliamentary and political relations. Larijani was accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammad-Javad Zarif, Minister of Petroleum Bijan Zangeneh, Minister of Economy Farhad Dejpasand, and Governor of the Central Bank Abdonnaser Hemmati.
Hua said that China is the biggest trade partner of Iran and added that Iran and China have always kept their good ties, even during the US sanctions against Iran.
He added that although the US is trying to pressure other countries to reduce their relations with Iran, Tehran and Beijing's normal relations are in progress according to the international agreements; China will keep its relations at high levels, paying no attention to US threats.
Mohammad bin Salman, Saudi crown prince heading a high-ranking delegation travelled to China for a two-day visit.
Western and European countries may have biased approaches regarding Iran, Saudi Arabia and Israel and interfere in the region, the Chinese politician said.
'But China behaved the other way round. China rejects partiality; that’s why countries of the region have always welcomed China's mediation.'
