January 13, 2012
On January 10th 2012, members of the Policy Consultation Committee of the Foreign Ministry of China, primarily hosted by the Institute of Political and International Studies of Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (IPIS), visited the Institute for Middle East Strategic Studies (IMESS). In this unofficial meeting, in which both the resident and visiting research fellows of the IMESS attended, Professor Kayhan Barzegar, Director of the IMESS, Mr. Ji Peiding, head of the Chinese delegation, Professor Wang Jisi, Director of the International Affairs of Beijing University, Mr. Wu Sike, Member of Policy Consultation Committee and China’s Special Representative to the Middle East, and Mr. Yu Hong Yang, the Chinese ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Iran raised some points on Iran-China’s mutual relations as well as regional issues while exchanging views with the audience.
At the beginning, Prof. Barzegar elaborated on the importance of China in Iran’s foreign policy. He specially emphasized on the significance of China in Iran’s grand strategy of “Look to the East” within the context of energy security, development and economic merger. He also elaborated on the importance of China in Iran’s international relations; especially, its relations with the West and the United States. According to Prof. Barzegar, increased relations with Asia, the Indian Ocean and the Pacific region will be one of Iran’s foreign policy priorities in the future in which China will play a pivotal role. Regarding the Iran-China relations towards Iranian nuclear program Prof. Barzegar maintained that Iran does not have unusual expectations from China and wants China to adopt an independent and fair policy towards Iran’s peaceful nuclear activities in the international arena. Answering a question posed by the head of the Chinese delegation regarding the possible U.S. military attack against Iran, Prof. Barzegar described military confrontation as the worst possible option and maintained that the current intense rhetoric on the possibility of military attack during recent days is an instrument for exerting more political pressure on Iran to change its nuclear policy.
The next speaker, Mr. Ji Peiding, head of the Chinese delegation, described Iran as a major regional and international actor, emphasizing Iran’s significance in China’s foreign policy. Referring to extensive trade exchanges between the two countries, Mr. Peiding noted that Beijing’s policy towards Iran is based on maintaining and continuing friendly cultural, economic and political relations. He also stressed on the importance of the recent shift in the U.S. policy and concentration on the Asia and Pacific region for the Iran-China relations in the future. While answering a question about China’s policy towards the Western powers’ efforts for imposing cohesive sanctions on Iran, Mr. Peiding stated that imposing further sanctions on Iran is contrary to China’s current policy.
Then, Dr. Wang Jisi, Professor of the International Relations at Beijin University, elaborated on recent scenarios about possible U.S. military attack against Iran and declared that due to the priority of domestic issues for the Obama administration, an American attack against Iran would be improbable at present. He described China’s policy towards the Persian Gulf region and the Middle East as a balanced and cautious policy. Referring to recent Iranian military exercises in the Persian Gulf, Prof. Jisi depicted these exercises as a message to the U.S. in order to oblige American officials to adapt a logical and cautious behavior towards the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Mr. Wu Sike, was another Chinese speaker in this session. Referring to recent developments in the region, Mr. Sike proclaimed that China is quite sensitive to the developments in the Arab world and is quite aware of the wishes and demands of the people in this region. He asserted that China opposes the interference of foreign powers in the domestic affairs of regional countries. He also mentioned that these crises can be solved through dialogue and negotiations. Referring to the withdrawal of American troops from Iraq and the emerged power vacuum in the region, Mr. Sike maintained that Iraq’s situations will have grave impact on the developments in Syria.
Lastly, Mr. Yu Hong Yang, the Chinese ambassador in the Islamic Republic of Iran, referred to his country’s opposition to coercive sanctions as well as a military attack against Iran. In conclusion, the visiting delegation and the staff of the Institute exchanged views and posed for press pictures.
Report: Fahimeh Ghorbani, Mahsa Nouraei
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