TEHRAN (Iran News) – China’s ambassador to Iran said American sanctions have failed to affect Iran-China economic cooperation, adding that the value of bilateral trade reached almost $20 billion during the March 20-November 21 period. Chang Hua said China would continue to ignore US efforts to restrict Iran’s trade activity in the world, saying Tehran […]
TEHRAN (Iran News) – China’s ambassador to Iran said American sanctions have failed to affect Iran-China economic cooperation, adding that the value of bilateral trade reached almost $20 billion during the March 20-November 21 period.
Chang Hua said China would continue to ignore US efforts to restrict Iran’s trade activity in the world, saying Tehran and Beijing will seek to expand their ties in the future, Press TV reported.
Speaking to a gathering of businesses in Tehran, the envoy insisted that reaching a $20b target in bilateral trade in eight months was a sign that Iran-China were determined to increase their economic cooperation and trade.
The ambassador, who was appointed to the post some six months ago, said he had done his best during his time in Tehran to help improve the strategic partnership between the two countries.
The comments come as China struggles to minimize the impacts of the American sanctions targeting Iran’s oil industry on the general status of trade and cooperation with Iran.
China, once the top buyer of Iran’s oil, has consistently refused US pressure to cut crude imports from Iran to zero. Beijing insists oil imports from Iran would continue despite problems affecting the transportation and insurance of oil shipments.
The ambassador said China would keep trying to save the landmark nuclear deal signed between Iran and world powers in 2015 more than a year after the US pulled out of the agreement to let it unravel.
He said the JCPOA, as the deal is known, was a historic diplomatic achievement and a result of years of negotiations that should be preserved as a model for solving international disputes.
- source : Iran Daily, Irannews
