Ahlul
Bayt
News
Agency
- Ayatollah Khamenei, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, met
Saturday afternoon with Xi Jinping, the President of the People’s
Republic of China, and his accompanying delegation. President Rouhani
was also present at the meeting.
Speaking at the meeting, His
Eminence referred to the long and ancient history of commercial and
cultural relations between the two peoples of Iran and China,
reiterating: “The government and people of Iran have always looked and
are still looking for expanding relations with independent and
trustworthy countries like China and on this basis, the agreement
between the presidents of Iran and China for the establishment of a
25-year strategic relation is completely correct and wise.”
The
Leader of the Islamic Revolution described the statements of the
President of the People’s Republic of China about the necessity to
revive the silk road and to develop relations among the countries
located on this route as a completely reasonable and acceptable idea,
further saying: “The Islamic Republic of Iran will never forget China’s
cooperation during the time of sanctions.”
Ayatollah Khamenei
referred to energy as one of the most important issues of today’s world
and stated: “Iran is the only independent country in the region that can
be trusted in the area of energy because unlike many regional
countries, the energy policy of Iran is not influenced by any
non-Iranian factor.”
His Eminence pointed to the imperialist
polices of some countries – America in particular – and their insincere
cooperation with other countries, adding: “This situation has caused
independent countries to pursue more cooperation with one another. The
agreement between Iran and China for developing a 25-year strategic
relation is within this framework. With the serious follow-up by both
sides, agreements will definitely pass through the stage of
implementation.”
He referred to the Iranian culture’s inclination
and outlook towards the east, saying: “Westerners have never been able
to win the Iranian nation’s trust.”
The Leader of the Islamic
Revolution stated that American policies towards Iran are worse and more
hostile than those of other western countries. He added: “These hostile
policies have caused the people of Iran and the officials of our
country to look for developing relations with independent countries.”
Ayatollah Khamenei stressed that the issue of a single China is one of
the fundamental and definite policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
He
reiterated: “Unfortunately, our region has become insecure because of
the wrong policies of westerners and also because of a deviant and wrong
interpretation of Islam. There is a danger that this will be expanded
and developed and therefore, it should be prevented with intelligent
cooperation.”
His Eminence considered some regional countries as
the main origin of this deviant thought, reiterating: “Instead of
confronting the main origin of this thought and instead of confronting
terrorist groups, westerners have attacked and pressured Muslims in
Europe and in America. This is while these terrorist orientations are
completely different from correct Islamic thinking.”
He stressed
that the Americans and westerners insist on using the term “Islamic
state” for some terrorist groups and added: “This outlook is an insult
to Muslims and it will indirectly prepare the ground for strengthening
these groups rather than solving the problem.”
The Leader of the
Islamic Revolution described the American claim – the so-called
formation of “the coalition to fight against terrorism” – as a
deception, stating: “The Americans have the same outlook on all issues
and they never behave in a sincere manner.”
At the end of his
statements, Ayatollah Khamenei expressed hope that the outcome of Tehran
negotiations and agreements will be to the advantage of both sides in
the real sense of the word.
Xi Jinping also expressed elation at
travelling to Iran and thanked the government and people of Iran for
their friendly and genuine feelings. He stated that this cordial
behavior results from friendly and long cooperation and exchanges
between the two countries, further saying: “The mutual cooperation
between Iran and China should increase – day by day – on the basis of
mutual interests.”
Pointing to the history of Iran and China’s
connection with each other through the ancient silk road, he described
this road as a symbol of peace, progress and friendly exchanges, adding:
“By increasing their cooperation, the countries who are located on this
route can defend their interests and achieve their goals in the face of
the American model for disturbing the balance of the regional economy.”
He
said: “Some superpowers are trying to create a monopoly and to impose
the law of the jungle where “[Y]ou are either with us or with our enemy”
play a dominant role, but the progress of emerging economies has taken
away the monopoly of power from their hands and it has created a
suitable environment for the ideas and policies of independent
governments.”
The President of the People’s Republic of China
mentioned that his country’s support of the nuclear issue of Iran and
Iran’s support of a united and single China is an example of mutual
trust and of the independent policies of the two countries, further
adding: “After the lifting of sanctions too, we should increase our
cooperation in all areas.”
Xi Jinping pointed to the numerous
privileges that Iran enjoys in terms of geography, manpower and energy,
saying: “Iran and China’s economy complement each other. On this trip,
we have reached an agreement about formulating a plan for a 25-year
strategic cooperation and we are ready to increase and deepen our
cooperation in cultural, educational, technological, military and
security areas as strategic partners.”
He stated that in the face
of terrorism and the complex issues of the region, it is necessary to
find a way to increase cooperation between the two countries in the area
of security.
The President of the People’s Republic of China
described the Leader’s statements as wise and insightful, adding: “The
government and people of China have a friendly and amicable attitude
towards you and we hope that you will help the two countries develop
their relations as you have done in the past.”
