Respect for Iran key to Arab, African drive to boost trade with China

Tehran, IRNA – A summit of Arab and African leaders with Chinese President Xi Jinping that took place recently in the Saudi capital Riyadh came as both Xi and other officials attending the summit highlighted the need for regional security as a precondition for boosting trade, especially under China’s massive Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Iran is a key component of the BRI as the country offers the fastest trade routes between the East and the West. Both Xi and Arab and African officials attending the summit repeatedly raised the importance of the BRI during meetings and speeches at the Riyadh summit. That highlights the importance of Iran in efforts to expand trade between China and Arab and African countries. China needs to further deepen its trade ties with the rest of the world as it seeks to outdo the United States to become the world’s most powerful economy. However, the Chinese are worried that security along the trade routes in the Middle East and Africa could deteriorate as unrest and crises are rife in many of those countries. That comes as Iran offers the cheapest and most secure options on trade routes across the region. The country has also been a key element in the regional fight against terrorism in recent years. A political advisor to Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi reminded the Chinese authorities on Saturday that it was Iran that prevented the spread of terrorism and violence from the region to the East and the West. Mohammad Jamshidi’s post on Twitter came after China supported a statement at the end of its summit with Arab leaders which contained unfounded claims about Iran’s territorial integrity and its sovereignty over three islands in the Persian Gulf. China and Arab states know clearly that they would be able to benefit from Iran’s unique geographical position for their economic and trade purposes if they respect the country and its territorial integrity. They should know that Iran’s interests and benefits should also be respected in efforts to boost economic and trade ties in the region. Follow us on Twitter @IrnaEnglish