Joint Statement of the People’s Republic of China and the Islamic Republic of Iran

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi paid a state visit to China, February 14-16, at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. It was the first such visit by an Iranian head of state in 20 years.

At the conclusion of the visit, the two sides issued a joint statement, which provides a comprehensive exposition of the current state of their bilateral relations. In it, the two heads of state, “reaffirmed that the development of close strategic relations is a historic choice made by China and Iran as two ancient civilisations in East Asia and West Asia, and serves the interests of the entire region. No matter how the international situation changes, China and Iran are committed to strengthening bilateral relations and promoting comprehensive strategic cooperation in various fields. The two sides stressed that close China-Iran relations are not only conducive to achieving the goals of bilateral relations, but also conducive to creating favorable conditions for all countries to realize their common interests.”

They added that they “firmly support each other in safeguarding national sovereignty, territorial integrity and national dignity. China firmly opposes interference by external forces in Iran’s internal affairs and undermining Iran’s security and stability. Iran will continue to pursue the one-China policy. China supports Iran in playing a greater role in regional and international affairs.”

China, the statement continues, appreciates Iran’s important role in safeguarding international energy security and President Raisi’s good-neighbourly policy, while Iran welcomes China’s initiative to achieve security and stability in the Middle East and to promote dialogue among countries in the Persian Gulf region.

The two sides condemned terrorism in all its forms, opposed any terrorist attacks against civilians and opposed linking terrorism with specific ethnic groups or religions. They agreed that their armed forces would expand the scale of joint exercises and personnel training. They opposed, “political manipulation under the pretext of safeguarding human rights and democracy, interference in other countries’ internal affairs, and even inciting turmoil and creating division.”

Reaffirming support for the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA, generally known as the Iran nuclear deal), they stressed the centrality of lifting sanctions on Iran and ensuring the economic benefits the country had been promised. They further reaffirmed their support for a zone free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East and the importance of Israel’s accession to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the placing of all its nuclear facilities under full-scope IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) safeguards.

They called for respect for Syria’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity, the promotion of an inclusive and harmonious political settlement, helping Syria ease the humanitarian situation and resume reconstruction, and insisted on effectively combating terrorism, whilst calling for the immediate lifting of illegal economic sanctions against the Syrian people.

Both sides said that they, “firmly support the just cause of the Palestinian people to restore their legitimate national rights, including their right to self-determination.”

They also support the maintenance of Yemen’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, support the role of the United Nations as the main channel of fair and balanced mediation, and call on all parties concerned to actively cooperate with UN efforts to promote regional peace, such as extending the ceasefire, delivering humanitarian assistance to Yemen, stopping interference in Yemen and promoting dialogue among Yemenis, so as to restore peace, stability and normal order in Yemen at an early date.

Iran’s joining the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) as a full member was welcomed as was China’s initiative to expand the BRICS grouping. They both held that the United States and NATO are responsible for the present situation in Afghanistan, while calling on the Afghan authorities to form an inclusive government, with the effective participation of all ethnic and political groups, and to eliminate all discriminatory measures against women, minorities and other religions.

Regarding the current crisis in Ukraine and its impact on international peace and security, they called on the international community, especially the parties concerned, to create conditions for a peaceful settlement.

President Raisi invited President Xi Jinping to pay a state visit to Iran, which was gladly accepted. The Chinese leader previously visited Iran in 2016.

Below is the full text of the Joint Statement as carried in China’s People’s Daily. The machine translation from the Chinese original has been lightly edited by us.

Joint Statement of the People’s Republic of China and the Islamic Republic of Iran

At the invitation of President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China, President Ebrahim Raisi of the Islamic Republic of Iran paid a state visit to China from February 14-16 2023, in order to deepen the development of the China-Iran comprehensive strategic partnership.

During the talks, the two heads of state exchanged views on a series of bilateral and multilateral issues. During the visit, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress Li Zhanshu met with President Raisi respectively.

1. The political field

In a cordial and friendly atmosphere, the two sides exchanged in-depth views on bilateral cooperation in various fields and regional and international issues of common concern, and reached broad consensus on accelerating the implementation of the China-Iran comprehensive cooperation plan. The two sides support each other’s independent promotion of economic and social development and prosperity, and are willing to share the experience of various autonomous countries in governance, reform and development.

The two heads of state reaffirmed that the development of close strategic relations is a historic choice made by China and Iran as two ancient civilizations in East Asia and West Asia, and serves the interests of the entire region. No matter how the international situation changes, China and Iran are committed to strengthening bilateral relations and promoting comprehensive strategic cooperation in various fields. The two sides stressed that close China-Iran relations are not only conducive to achieving the goals of bilateral relations, but also conducive to creating favorable conditions for all countries to realize their common interests.

The two sides reaffirmed their firm support for each other on issues involving each other’s core interests. The two sides firmly support each other in safeguarding national sovereignty, territorial integrity and national dignity. China firmly opposes interference by external forces in Iran’s internal affairs and undermining Iran’s security and stability. Iran will continue to pursue the one-China policy. China supports Iran in playing a greater role in regional and international affairs.

The two sides stressed the importance of peace and stability in the Persian Gulf region to world security and energy transportation. China appreciates Iran’s important role in safeguarding international energy security and President Raisi’s good-neighborly policy. Iran welcomes China’s initiative to achieve security and stability in the Middle East and promote dialogue among countries in the Persian Gulf region. China supports countries in the region in strengthening unity and cooperation, resolving differences through dialogue and achieving good-neighborliness and friendship.

The two sides positively assessed the strategic significance of the meeting between the foreign ministers of the two countries and agreed to continue to maintain close communication between the foreign ministers of the two countries. The two sides agreed to continue consultations between the relevant departments of the two foreign ministries.

2. Security and defense

The two sides condemn terrorism in all its forms, oppose any terrorist attacks against civilians, oppose “double standards” on the issue of counter-terrorism, oppose linking terrorism with specific ethnic groups and religions, and advocate eliminating the breeding ground for terrorism through the development and encouragement of moderate middle-way thinking, so as to reduce the space for the development of terrorist forces at its source. The two sides welcomed each other’s initiatives to maintain regional security and stability.

The two sides recognized each other’s contributions and sacrifices in the field of counter-terrorism, and agreed to further strengthen counter-terrorism cooperation and maintain international and regional peace and security. The two sides are willing to hold bilateral consultations on counter-terrorism and explore the establishment of a bilateral counter-terrorism political consultation mechanism.

The two sides agreed to strengthen strategic communication between the defense departments of the two countries, carry out exchanges and cooperation at all levels and fields of the two armed forces, and expand the scale of joint exercises and personnel training. The two sides agreed to convene the fourth meeting of the Joint Working Group on Public Security and Internal Security in Beijing in 2023.

3. The field of economic and development cooperation

The two sides are willing to work together to implement the China-Iran comprehensive cooperation plan and continue to deepen cooperation in trade, agriculture, industry, renewable energy, infrastructure and other fields.

The two sides agreed to hold the 2023 meeting of the China-Iran Joint Economic and Trade Commission in Tehran. The Chinese side appreciates Iran’s active participation in the Expo, CIFTIS [China International Fair for Trade in Services] and Canton Fair, and clearly supports Iranian enterprises to participate more in economic and trade exhibitions held in China. In order to achieve sustainable growth in bilateral trade, China is willing to participate in and expand the production of high-quality products in Iran to increase Iran’s exports to China. Iran appreciates China’s opening of a “green channel” for the export of Iranian agricultural products to China. The two sides agreed to strengthen communication and promote e-commerce development and cooperation between the two countries.

The two sides agreed that agricultural cooperation is conducive to the social and economic development of the two countries, and extensive and close cooperation in the field of agriculture will benefit the two peoples. The two sides agreed to implement the Action Plan for Agricultural Cooperation between the two countries (2023-2030).

China is willing to help Iran improve food security and comprehensive agricultural productivity, and agrees to make overall use of foreign aid, technological exchanges and economic and trade cooperation to jointly build a modern agricultural joint laboratory and carry out agricultural technology cooperation demonstration projects.

The two sides agreed to implement the Memorandum of Understanding on Strengthening Industrial and Mining Capacity and Investment Cooperation between China and Iran. The two sides agreed to cooperate to increase the share of renewable energy in the national energy system, in particular to increase Iran’s photovoltaic power generation capacity.

Iran warmly welcomes and supports President Xi Jinping’s proposal to jointly build the “Belt and Road” initiative and global development initiative, and is willing to participate in it in an all-round way. China welcomes this and appreciates Iran’s initiative in actively joining the Group of Friends of the Global Development Initiative. The two sides agreed to further strengthen cooperation within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative and the Global Development Initiative.

The two sides are willing to invite 50 representatives of political parties, think tanks, media and other personalities to visit each other’s countries in 2023 to exchange experience in governance. Iran spoke highly of China’s tremendous achievements in poverty alleviation. China is willing to invite Iranian political parties and relevant persons to participate in training in the fields of poverty alleviation, health and green development.

In particular, the two sides noted their common concerns on climate change and agreed to promote environmental cooperation to address air pollution, including particulate pollution.

4. Areas of educational and cultural cooperation

The two sides agreed to expand all-round cooperation in the fields of health, technology and science, consolidate bilateral ties and implement the China-Iran comprehensive cooperation plan.

The two sides agreed to further facilitate Iranian students studying in China and agreed to provide scholarships to each other. The two sides agreed to strengthen education in Chinese and Persian languages, and were willing to send international students and teachers to each other. In the next five years, China is willing to provide Iran with [a number of] scholarships for international Chinese teachers.

The Chinese side welcomes the announcement of visa-free Chinese tourists, agrees to inject new impetus into tourism cooperation and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries, and appreciates the positive role of the cultural cooperation agreement between the two governments.

The two sides agreed to expedite the signing of the Implementation Plan for Cultural and Educational Exchanges between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran for 2023-2026.

The two sides decided to hold the China-Iran Year of Culture and Tourism at an early date, encourage relevant institutions and enterprises to strengthen exchanges and pragmatic cooperation in the fields of culture and art, cultural heritage, and talent training, encourage mutual visits by sports delegations, and enhance the understanding and recognition of each other’s cultures by the two peoples.

5. International and regional issues

On the issue of human rights, the two sides pointed out that different countries have different national conditions, different histories, cultures, social systems and levels of economic and social development, and must persistently integrate with the actual conditions of each country and protect human rights in accordance with their national conditions, values and people’s needs. Promoting and protecting human rights is the common cause of the international community, and all countries should attach equal importance to and systematically promote all kinds of human rights.

The two sides reaffirmed the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries, stressed the need to respect the democratic governance models of different countries, and opposed political manipulation under the pretext of safeguarding human rights and democracy, interference in other countries’ internal affairs, and even inciting turmoil and creating division.

The two sides agreed that the common destiny of mankind requires the participation of as many countries as possible in decision-making, and that national security, development and prosperity are interdependent in an interconnected world. Some countries cannot gain benefits at the expense of others. The security, interests and positions of all States should be respected.

The two sides believe that initiatives and multilateral arrangements that meet new requirements are necessary in today’s world, that economic development is essential to international peace and security, and that developed countries should share the fruits of their development with other countries to promote peace on a larger scale. Iran supports President Xi Jinping’s global security initiative because it conforms to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. The two sides agreed to promote international cooperation on the basis of consensus-based UN reform, which is in the interests and concerns of all Member States, especially developing countries.

The two sides reaffirmed that the JCPOA [Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action], which was endorsed by the UN Security Council in Resolution 2231, will help ensure the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program. The unilateral withdrawal of the United States from the JCPOA is at the root of the current situation. The two sides stressed that lifting sanctions and ensuring Iran’s economic dividends are important components of the JCPOA, and that all relevant sanctions should be fully lifted in a verifiable manner to promote the full and effective implementation of the JCPOA.

The two sides reaffirmed their firm support for the construction of a zone free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East. The parties recalled that the Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons reaffirmed the importance of Israel’s accession to the Treaty and the placement of all its nuclear facilities under full-scope IAEA [International Atomic Energy Agency] safeguards.

The two sides stressed the importance of disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation to world peace and reaffirmed respect for the inalienable right of all States under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons to develop nuclear science and technology and acquire nuclear materials, technologies and equipment for peaceful purposes. The two sides oppose unilateral coercive measures and restrictive measures driven by political objectives by any country, which hinder the exercise by States members of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons of their right to the peaceful development and use of nuclear technology and nuclear energy.

The two sides firmly oppose the attempts of some countries to politicize the implementation of the IAEA safeguards agreement, and support the IAEA in carrying out its monitoring and verification work in an impartial, objective and professional manner.

The two sides reaffirmed that nuclear activities and facilities dedicated to peaceful purposes should be protected from attack, in accordance with the Resolution adopted by the General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency in October 1990. The two sides condemned the attacks, threats of attacks and deliberate destruction of nuclear facilities dedicated to peaceful purposes.

The two sides stressed that the international community should adhere to the principle of “Syrian-led, Syrian-owned”, respect Syria’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity, promote an inclusive and harmonious political settlement, help Syria ease the humanitarian situation and resume reconstruction, and insist on effectively combating terrorism, calling for the immediate lifting of illegal economic sanctions against the Syrian people.

Both sides firmly support the just cause of the Palestinian people to restore their legitimate national rights, including their right to self-determination.

The two sides support the maintenance of Yemen’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, support the role of the United Nations as the main channel of fair and balanced mediation, and call on all parties concerned to actively cooperate with the efforts of the United Nations to promote regional peace such as extending the ceasefire, delivering humanitarian assistance to Yemen, stopping interference in Yemen and promoting dialogue among Yemenis, so as to restore peace, stability and normal order in Yemen at an early date.

The two sides welcomed the deepening of cooperation within international and regional frameworks, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and reaffirmed that Iran’s accession to the SCO will contribute to regional and international peace, security, stability and development. Iran welcomes China’s BRICS expansion initiative and is ready to contribute Iranian strength to BRICS.

The two sides stressed that the United States and NATO should be responsible for the current situation in Afghanistan and called on the Afghan ruler to form an inclusive government with the effective participation of all ethnic and political groups, and to eliminate all discriminatory measures against women, minorities and other religions. China appreciates the important role played by Iran in hosting millions of Afghan refugees and agrees to continue to provide humanitarian and economic assistance to the Afghan people and strengthen cooperation on Afghanistan’s development. The two sides agreed that a peaceful, prosperous, open and stable Afghanistan is important for the prosperity and development of the region. The two sides expressed satisfaction with the results of the three meetings of foreign ministers of Afghanistan’s neighboring countries and looked forward to the next foreign ministers’ meeting in Uzbekistan.

Regarding the current crisis in Ukraine and its impact on international peace and security, the two sides call on the international community, especially the parties concerned, to create conditions for a peaceful settlement of the Ukrainian crisis.

President Raisi thanked the Chinese leaders and Chinese people for their warm and generous hospitality to him and the Iranian delegation, and wished China continuous development and prosperity.

The two sides signed and concluded a series of agreements and memorandums of understanding covering various areas of cooperation between the two sides.

President Raisi invited President Xi Jinping to pay a state visit to Iran. President Xi Jinping gladly accepted the invitation and expressed his willingness to visit Iran at his convenience. The two heads of state stressed their willingness to maintain close communication and work to deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.