Iran after promotion of ties with China in all sectors, including military: General Baqeri

Iran’s top commander says the Islamic Republic attaches high significance to the promotion of ties with China in different sectors, including military.

“Iran attaches great significance to its relations with the People’s Republic of China in all areas. We have long-standing ties in the military sector as well, and we hope this visit can be a turning point in the development and reinforcement of the relations,” Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri said.

He made the remarks in a meeting with General Li Zuocheng, the chief of the Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission, in the Chinese capital Beijing on Wednesday.

He said Iran and China have maintained and strengthened their ties over the past four decades, stressing they now enjoy deep-rooted relations.

The Chinese official, for his part, said the visit of the high-ranking Iranian commander would shore up the two countries’ strategic approaches and beef up their bilateral cooperation.

He expressed hope that the visit would also open a new chapter in Tehran-Beijing ties.

During their meeting, General Baqeri also invited his Chinese counterpart to visit Tehran.

General Baqeri arrived in Beijing on Wednesday morning at the head of a high-ranking military delegation for a three-day visit at the invitation of General Li.

Separately, the Iranian commander also met and held talks with Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission Xu Qiliang, during which they discussed ways to expand defense ties and reviewed regional developments.

Upon his arrival in Beijing, the Iranian general said Iran and China were developing their military cooperation besides their cooperation in the political and economic sectors.

General Baqeri told reporters that Iran-China relations have turned strategic since 2016, adding that the two countries have drawn up a comprehensive plan for boosting cooperation.

He also praised China as a leading country in the world and Asia, saying he planned to confer with his Chinese counterpart on strategic, technical and military issues at the current juncture.

High on the agenda of his visit, the commander said, was talks on regional developments, including US threats regarding tensions over the disputed South China Sea.

He also said that he was expected to visit a naval base and Chinese naval equipment.

He added that a joint military committee of the two countries will also meet to discuss various issues of mutual interest, including training and drills.

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