China’s President Xi Jinping pledged to increase trade and investment cooperation with Iran, and to “constructively take part” in efforts to renew its nuclear agreement with world powers. He also sought to reassure Tehran regarding their bilateral relationship.

During a Tuesday visit to Beijing by President Ebrahim Rasi, the first such trip by an Iranian leader for more than 20 years, Xi stated: “Regardless of how the international and regional situations change, China will unwaveringly develop friendly cooperation with Iran and promote [the] China-Iran comprehensive Strategic Partnership.”

Raisi’s three day visit to Beijing is coming as the bilateral 25-year cooperation agreement signed in 2021 has not delivered the economic benefits Tehran expected. The Islamic republic has been rattled by Xi’s attempt to strengthen ties with Iran’s regional competitors like Saudi Arabia.

Raisi stated that relations between the two countries were “moving forward”, but that what had been done was still far behind what should be done, according to Iranian media.

Fan Hongda, an expert on Iran at Shanghai International Studies University, stated that “after the two countries signed the agreement in 2021,” the relationship has yet to achieve a breakthrough. Some Iranian officials expressed dissatisfaction at China’s investment in Iran. Economic development is the greatest need for Iran right now. The more Chinese investments, the better.

According to a report of the meeting, Xi stated that China is willing to cooperate with Iran in order to implement the 2021 agreement, “deepen practical cooperation in trade, agriculture and industry and other areas, and import more high quality Iranian agricultural products.”

Raisi was accompanied at the event by his ministers of economy, oil, mining, agriculture, and top nuclear negotiator Ali Bagheri Kani.

Iran’s oil sales from China are a concern for Tehran. It has been widely speculated that Beijing may increase its purchases from Russia and purchase less oil from Iran. This is because of the west’s sanctions on Moscow following the Ukraine war.

Analysts said that China was motivated to strengthen its ties with Tehran because of the growing tensions between Washington DC and Beijing.

Xi stated that China supports Iran in protecting its national sovereignty and resisting bullying.

Fan stated that the US sanctions were one of the main factors affecting China’s relations with Iran. These sanctioned countries might have to work together if the US continues to impose more severe sanctions on certain countries.

However, China and Iran are expected sign economic agreements in Beijing. Chinese analysts doubt that they will make firm commitments.

“One reason the implementation of the. . . “The state of relations between Iran, the US and Iran has not progressed as quickly as Iran might have hoped,” stated Ma Xiaolin (director of the Institute for Studies on the Mediterranean Rim of Zhejiang International Studies University). “China-US relations are crucial and China’s companies and government must be careful when violating US sanctions.

Xi stated that China will “continue constructively participate” in negotiations on the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement with world powers. He said China would support Iran’s legitimate rights, “support Iran in protecting its legitimate interests, and encourage the prompt and proper resolution to the Iranian nuclear problem.”

Indirect talks have been held between the US and Iran by the EU to save the nuclear pact that former President Donald Trump unilaterally ended in 2018. There have not been any discussions since September when Iran was accused of rejecting a proposal to revive the agreement that had been signed by other signatories.

Western diplomats are skeptical about the chances of the deal being revived. Chinese analysts believe there is a chance.

“China provided a major impetus to this deal in 2015. Ma stated that while many other countries have changed their stances, China has not. China is therefore in a good position to work with the other parties to revive this deal. “There’s a chance because anyone who destroys the Non-Proliferation Treaty will be left behind,” Ma said.