As the US increases its pressure on Iran, the latest effort being a concerted campaign to impose an oil embargo on Tehran, China finds itself in a tough dilemma.China views Iran as an important country sharing many interests and views with China, and with whom China may benefit via cooperation in a wide number of areas. China views Iran as an especially reliable oil supplier in the event of a crisis in Sino-American relations, and as a capable and ambitious country defending itself against American aggressiveness.
Also when the US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner visited Beijing back in early January to press Chinese leaders on Iran, his Chinese hosts politely said no. However given the nature of ties with the West, particularly the US, China cannot completely ignore such pressure and continue trading with Iran.
On the other hand Chinese President Xi JinPing on Wednesday met with Irans Majlis (parliament) Speaker Ali Larijani in Beijing, vowing to jointly push forward friendly cooperation in multiple areas.
Larijani extended greetings from Iranian Supreme Leader Seyed Ali Khamenei and President Hassan Rowhani to Xi. He said the successful change of Irans leadership has opened a new chapter in Iran-China relations. In the latest negotiations in Geneva, we tabled a proposal, which we hope will bear fruit as soon as possible with Chinas cooperation, said the Iranian official.
Iran attaches great importance to ties with China and expects to enhance cooperation in the areas of the economy and trade, energy and investment, according to Larijani.
By Tehran Chronicle
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