Iran and China, the FutureMakers of World Economy

If the 25-year strategic cooperation deal between Iran and China is signed without the common behind-the-scene brokerages in the trade, it is too much desirable. Both governments of Iran and China are fully aware that an agreement in such a dimension, which is to be signed definitely as a hidden and overt fight with the U.S., needs the approvals of their parliaments. That in this sanction era China has stepped forward and intends to sign a 400-billion-dollar investment deal in Iran and it will definitely get back its capital and profits through purchasing Iran’s oil, gas condensates and oil derivatives in the period of 25 years, is useful for both Iran and China provided that the ground is provided for safeguarding the interests of both countries in the deal.

IRAN NEWS POLITICAL DESK

Both countries are wisely and fully aware of the dimensions of this deal that an Islamic Republic has been established in Iran; the country is currently in the sanctions condition and the Westerners have bought some pawns and planted some mercenaries in its pillars, and it is natural the implementation of the deal to face challenges and oppositions.

Exactly now and at the beginning that both countries are in negotiation process for striking the deal, some critics have warned Iranian nation of some of colonialist records of China in Africa, claiming that China through such deals has seized Mombasa Port in Kenya, Hambantota Port in Sri Lanka, and some other areas in different parts of the world.

Former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad by publishing a video clip in his instagram account called on the nation to rise up against signing the deal. Majlis lawmakers, too, are concerned about behind-the-scene political and economic collusions. If both countries are eager to stretch friendship hands for 25 years and to plan the future road of world economy in Asia, they should consider the public satisfactions and approvals in both countries by inserting few conditions in the agreement.

According to this strategic agreement, China is to invest $280b in Iran’s oil, gas and petrochemical industries and is also to invest $120b in developing production infrastructures and transportation. But before investment, both countries should make it clear and transparent about the payment mechanism and ways of payment as well as the time of the start of the operations. In the agreement, both sides should make it clear how the dues and accounts will be settled regardless of political and military views. In dispatching technical force to Iran, interests of Iran especially in creating job should be taken into consideration.

The Chinese side should realize that almost ten months later, it will not deal with the current government because all of the current government’s officials will leave. Iranian nation will be definitely happy about the deal which has abundant profits for the region and Asia but their joy relies on how transparency in safeguarding national interests is observed in the deal without any collusion and under-the table payments.

We in the past 42 years in Iran have hosted our Afghan brothers and in cooperation with millions of Afghans have benefited billions of dollars to Afghanistan and today the approach to Afghans and Afghanistan is a brotherly one. Iranian nation’s expectation from this move for the deal is to create an effective reciprocal cultural relation in order that Iran and China can change criteria in the economic process in Asia, and subsequently in the World, in favor of them.

The concerns of Iran and Iranians and majority of compassionates regarding this agreement can be this issue that the 12^th government has the lowest approval and acceptability in the country’s current condition for any negotiation. Some people who are involved in this agreement have committed the biggest treason during the nuclear deal, the JCPOA.

So if the agreement with Iranians for cooperation in the next 25 years takes this point into consideration that Iranians are after materializing the Islamic Republic’s ideals, Iranian people will naturally look at any Chinese expert or manager visiting Iran as a partner and friend.

If we define the incentive behind this agreement as a mere economic one with an eye on fair interests, it will strengthen the way for expanding this tie day by day. We in Iran have resources which await exploitation and they need the arrival of capital and technology. I, myself, as someone who was in charge of providing the needs of the country from China during the Iraqi-imposed war have the experience of signing and implementing billion-dollar agreements with China and have not seen any misbehavior or breaching the agreements from the Chinese partners. Perhaps I can dare to say that I have been the link between Iran and China and I have benefited both countries through agreements. I personally predict that advantages of Iran-China deal, provided that long-term common  interests are considered and stipulated in the deal, will lead to major development in the region and Asia and ultimately it will be expanded to the world.

 By: Hamid Reza Naghashian