China’s Xi hails ‘solidarity’ with Iran during ‘complex’ world situation

By AFP 14 February 2023, 2:51 pm

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In this photo released by the official website of the office of the Iranian Presidency, President Ebrahim Raisi, left, shakes hands with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in an official welcoming ceremony in Beijing, Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023. (Iranian Presidency Office via AP)

Chinese President Xi Jinping hails Beijing’s “solidarity” with Iran as he hosts the Islamic Republic’s President Ebrahim Raisi at the start of a three-day trip.

For the first state visit by an Iranian president to China in more than 20 years, Raisi has brought a large trade and finance delegation to Beijing and was earlier greeted by Xi on a red carpet.

“In the face of the current complex changes in the world, times, and history, China and Iran have supported each other (and) worked together in solidarity and cooperation,” Xi says, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

China “supports Iran in safeguarding national sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national dignity… and in resisting unilateralism and hegemonism,” CCTV reports Xi as saying.

Beijing also “opposes external forces interfering in Iran’s internal affairs and undermining Iran’s security and stability”, and will continue to “promote the early and proper resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue,” the Chinese leader says.

“No matter how the international and regional situation changes, China will unswervingly develop friendly cooperation with Iran.”