DM: Iran-China Ties to Serve Regional, Int’l Peace
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran’s defense minister lauded the cordial and age-old ties between Tehran and Beijing, and asserted that such relations are beneficial to the regional and international peace and stability.
The bilateral relations between Iran and China “secure the two countries’ interests and national security, and contribute to the regional and international peace, stability and security,” Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan said in a meeting with Fan Changlong, the vice chairmen of the Central Military Commission (CMC) of the People's Republic of China, in Beijing on Wednesday.
The Iranian minister also criticized the global hegemonic powers for their wrong and interfering policies, which he said have brought about insecurity in the world.
“The cooperation between independent states such as Iran and China could play an influential role in reducing the insecurities,” Dehqan underlined.
He further made clear that the fight against terrorism and extremism requires a thorough understanding of the motives behind those phenomena, stressing that “unilateralism, discriminatory attitudes and adopting double-standard policies” in tackling terrorism will bear no fruit but an escalation of the ongoing critical and unstable conditions.
The Chinese commander, for his part, voiced Beijing’s willingness to expand all-out ties with Tehran, and emphasized the need for stronger cooperation between the two Asian nations in order to meet the common challenges they may face.
In a separate development later in the day, the visiting Iranian minister held a meeting with China’s State Councillor for Foreign Affairs and National Security Yang Jiechi.
During the meeting, both the Iranian and Chinese officials stressed opposition to the existing double-standard attitudes in the world in dealing with terrorism and extremism.
They also discussed the latest development in the world, and underlined the need for the enhancement of Iran-China ties in all fields, particularly the security and defense areas.
Dehqan started a three-day tour of the Asian country on Monday at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart.
It was the Iranian minister's first visit to China since he took office last year.
