Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has hailed “fruitful” talks with his Chinese counterpart on the two countries’ strategic partnership, saying both sides oppose the US unilateralism.
China was by far the top buyer of Iranian steel in the first five months of the current calendar year ending August 21, shows figured provided by Iran’s customs office (IRICA).
Iran’s commercial exchanges with its biggest trading partner, China, hit $8.66 billion from January to July to register a 40.9% decline compared with the corresponding period of 2019.
An Iranian official says enhancing cooperation and investments in the tourism sector is a key component of the 25-year partnership agreement which Tehran and Beijing are working to finalize.
Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ICCIMA) has announced plans to open a trade office in China by the end of 2020, in collaboration with major Iranian trade companies.
Iran’s foreign non-oil trade stood at $3.58 billion in the month ending April 19, indicating a 27% decline compared with the same period of last year but China still remains to be the country’s biggest trade partner despite the surge in the coronavirus pandemic.
A forum to survey trade opportunities with China is scheduled to be held at Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture in Tehran on Jan. 27.
China on Monday called for the US to “immediately halt” sanctions on Chinese companies for maintaining business ties with Iran amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran.
China’s ambassador to Iran Chang Hua says the two countries have agreed on new banking mechanisms that could facilitate bilateral trade although he insists that the initiatives would remain confidential to avoid the American sanctions imposed on Iran.
Iran has been resisting the US sanctions following the 1979 Islamic Revolution. 40 years on, many other countries are also suffering and withstanding those punitive measures. Now, Tehran is proposing that all these US-sanctioned countries join a club to better coordinate their efforts against its "economic terrorism".