Iran and China agree trade deals as Chinese president meets Rouhani

DUBAI – Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei on Saturday called for closer economic and security ties with China, saying Iran had never trusted the West, as the two countries agreed to increase bilateral trade more than 10-fold to $600 billion in the next decade, Reuters reported on Jan, 24.
The clerical regime’s most powerful figure told Chinese President Xi Jinping during a visit Iran wanted to expand ties with “more independent countries”, adding the United States was “not honest” in the fight against terrorism in the region.
“Iranians never trusted the West… That’s why Tehran seeks cooperation with more independent countries (like China),” Khamenei said.
Xi is the second leader of a U.N. Security Council member to visit Tehran since the nuclear deal Iran struck with world powers last year. Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Tehran in November.
“Iran and China have agreed to increase trade to $600 billion in the next 10 years,” Hassan Rouhani said at a news conference with Xi broadcast live on state television.
“Iran and China have agreed on forming strategic relations (as) reflected in a 25-year comprehensive document,” he said.
Iran and China signed 17 accords on Saturday, including on cooperation in nuclear energy and a revival of the ancient Silk Road trade route, known in China as One Belt, One Road.