October 30, 2020
Foreign Minister Mohammad-Javad Zarif flew to China to talk with his Chinese counterpart, but there was no news of any developments in completing a major political, military and economic agreement between the two countries.
The two countries were known to be in such talks. In fact, the agreement to enter such talks was announced in 2016, more than four years ago.
But when news of the alleged content of the talks surfaced in Iran in mid-summer, the terms angered most Iranians from right to left.
News accounts spoke of China investing huge sums in Iranian economic development but being allowed in exchange to deploy military troops in Iran and to buy oil at a one-third discount. The descriptions were simply not realistic, but the reaction against such an agreement with China was loud and furious.
After that, the topic disappeared from the Iranian media until October 11, when Zarif tweeted from China as if he were a tourist. “Fruitful talks from beautiful Tengchong with my friend Wang Yi on Iran-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.”
But that was the only thing he said about the “partnership.” He went on to say both countries “rejected US unilateralism and US attempts to create a unipolar world,” to announce “collaboration” on a coronavirus vaccine and to pledge preservation of the 2015 nuclear agreement.
Trade was not mentioned. China-Iran trade has plummeted to the lowest level in a decade. Iran’s exports to China in the first eight months of the current Persian year totaled $3.85 billion, down 62 percent from last year. That is largely a result of China’s willingness to abide by US sanctions and not buy much Iranian oil.
Meanwhile, Iran’s imports from China in the same period were $5.95 billion, down 6.7 percent, still showing dramatically how dependent Iran has become on China. The Islamic Republic deeply resents it when it runs a trade deficit with another country.
Abroad, more than 100 Iranian expatriates have written to the UN denouncing the talks and saying the proposed agreement will only erode Iran’s sovereignty.
The signatories include Canadian MP Ali Ehsassi, feminist activist Mehrangiz Kar, Oscar nominee Shohreh Aghdashloo, comedian Maz Jobrani and pop singers Ebi and Dariush.
