Iran�s trade with its leading trade partner, China, reached $15.79 billion in 2022, registering a 7% rise compared with the corresponding period of the previous year.

Data released by China�s General Administration of Customs show Iran�s exports totaled $6.35 billion during the period, indicating a 2.3% decrease.

In return, China exported $9.44 billion worth of goods to Iran, registering a 14.3% rise.

Bilateral trade hit $1.2 billion in December 2022 with Iran�s exports standing at $352.41 million and imports at $893.34 million, Financial Tribune reported.

Meanwhile, thirty-one percent of Iran�s non-oil exports are destined for China, the chairman of the Iran-China Joint Chamber of Commerce announced, adding that giant steps have been taken in the current year for the expansion of trade relations between the two countries.

Major parts of the Iran-China 25-Year Strategic Partnership Document will be implemented in the current Iranian calendar year of 1402 (starting March 21, 2023), Majid Reza Hariri told IRNA on Thursday, noting that trade delegations of the two countries will officially strengthen their cooperation after the holy month of Ramadan.

He went on to say that Iran and China have always had amicable relations with each other since many years ago.

China is the first country that retained its friendly ties with Iran despite sanctions imposed by the Western countries against the Islamic Republic, he said.

By Mehr