China’s 25-year deal with Iran marks ‘momentous’ change as ties with US sour, says former ambassador
- Former diplomat Hua Liming says Beijing used to be cautious in its dealings with the Islamic Republic to avoid upsetting Washington
- Both sides have welcomed the new deal, which includes agreements on energy supplies and security
China’s 25-year agreement with Iran underlies a shift in its Middle East strategy as relations with the United States deteriorate, the country’s former ambassador to Tehran has said.
Last week China and Iran signed the pact on energy, economic and security cooperation in the face of increased pressure from the United States
“The deal and [Foreign Minister] Wang Yi’s trip mark a momentous change in China’s relations with Iran and the region,” said former Chinese ambassador to Tehran Hua Liming.
China had been mindful of the US sensitives over Iran and largely avoided edging too close to the Islamic republic since the establishment of official ties with Washington in 1979, according to Hua, who was Beijing’s envoy in Tehran from 1991 to 1995.
“Since the Carter administration, the US has often reminded China of its relations with Iran, which was seen by Americans as an impediment to the US-China relationship. But with fundamental changes in China-US relations in recent months, that era has gone,” he said.
Both sides hailed the deal signed between Wang and his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif on Saturday.