China and Iran set to step up defence cooperation

Defence Minister Wei Fenghe said during a visit to Tehran that he was keen to see the two countries working together more closely

Diplomatic and military analysts said Beijing is keen to strengthen ties with opponents of the US following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

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Iranian Armed forces chief of staff Mohammad Bagheri (right) greets China’s Defence Minister Wei Fenghe. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 5:30pm, 28 Apr 2022Updated: 10:19pm, 28 Apr 2022

China and Iran have vowed to step up defence cooperation, including more military drills, as the two countries move closer together under growing pressure from the United States.

In a meeting with Chinese Defence Minister Wei Fenghe on Wednesday, Iran’s armed forces chief of staff Mohammad Bagheri said the two nations will work together on military training and exchange of knowledge, the semi-official Fars News Agency reported.

Wei was visiting Tehran on Wednesday, where he also met President Ebrahim Raisi and described his trip as taking place against the backdrop of the “current turbulent international situation”.

“The trip reflects the importance of China-Iran relations and firm mutual support and joint progress,” Wei said, according to a Chinese defence ministry statement.

“The Chinese military is willing to maintain strategic communication with the Iranian side, make good use of the cooperation mechanism, and promote practical cooperation, so as to push the relationship between the two militaries to a higher level”.

China’s position on the war in Ukraine and refusal to condemn Russia has become a new ground for China-US tensions, in addition to their various disputes over human rights, the trade war, the South China Sea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Xijiang.