Iranian, Chinese FMs to discuss major issues

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian is to visit China on Friday as Teheran said the latest round of talks in Vienna to revive the nuclear deal is nearing an agreement.

It is reported that Amir-Abdollahian's trip will be the first to China by a member of the Iranian government since Ebrahim Raisi became president in August.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said at a daily news briefing on Tuesday that State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will have talks with his Iranian guest and have an in-depth exchange of views on bilateral ties as well as regional and global issues of common concern.

China and Iran enjoy a traditional friendship, and bilateral relations have made progress under the guidance of their heads of state, with the two countries firmly supporting each other on issues concerning their core interests, said the spokesman.

He noted that last year marked the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties, which had charted a new chapter of friendship. A 25-year comprehensive cooperation plan was signed in March.

Li Zixin, an assistant researcher in the Department for Developing Countries Studies at the China Institute of International Studies, said the two nations enjoy strong economic ties in various fields, such as energy and infrastructure, and could cooperate on the implementation of the plan and take forward cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative.

The announcement of the Iranian foreign minister's visit was made as Beijing is hosting from Monday to Friday the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain, as well as the secretary-general of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf.

China is committed to developing equal, mutually beneficial and friendly relations with countries in the Middle East, instead of perceiving the region through the lens of competition, Li said, adding that Gulf countries are ready to strengthen communication and cooperation with China on many issues concerning national development, regional and international hot spots.

"The visit to China by foreign ministers from countries in the Middle East is the best example," Li said.

During his talks on Monday with Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi reiterated China's support for Gulf countries in setting up multilateral dialogue platforms and taking the initiative on regional issues.

Wang also said the international nuclear nonproliferation regime must be maintained, while the legitimate and reasonable security concerns of regional countries should also be accommodated.

Bahrain Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani told Wang Yi during their talks on Tuesday that the five-point initiative on achieving security and stability in the Middle East proposed by China demonstrated the country's crucial role and responsibilities as a major country.

In another development, Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin announced that Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu will visit China on Wednesday.