China has reaffirmed its support for Iran's sovereignty and pledged to further strengthen its comprehensive strategic partnership with Tehran, as senior Chinese and Iranian military officials highlighted expanding bilateral cooperation and called for dialogue to address regional challenges.
Speaking in Tehran, Chinese Ambassador to Iran Cong Peiwu said Beijing opposes hegemony, unilateral sanctions and coercive pressure, while firmly supporting Iran's efforts to safeguard its sovereignty, security and national dignity. He also stressed China's readiness to play a constructive role in promoting peace and stability across West Asia.
The ambassador's remarks came at a reception hosted by the Chinese Embassy on July 21 to mark the 99th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA). The event brought together senior Iranian and Chinese officials, diplomats and military attachés, serving as a platform to underline the growing strategic relationship between Tehran and Beijing.
Cong described Iran as one of China's important comprehensive strategic partners and said Beijing remains committed to expanding political mutual trust, practical cooperation and people-to-people exchanges to ensure the steady development of bilateral relations.
Regional Stability
Addressing regional developments, the ambassador said West Asia continues to face profound instability, making dialogue and political solutions more important than ever. He referred to President Xi Jinping's proposals for safeguarding peace in the region, emphasizing respect for sovereignty, adherence to international law, peaceful coexistence and a balanced approach to development and security.
He reiterated China's longstanding opposition to unilateral sanctions and external pressure, saying Beijing supports efforts aimed at improving Iran's relations with neighboring Persian Gulf countries and other regional states.
Cong also highlighted China's broader approach to international affairs, describing the country as a supporter of multilateralism and a contributor to global peace through initiatives designed to promote development, security and international cooperation.
Chinese Defense Attaché Senior Colonel Hu Xiao echoed the ambassador's message, saying military relations between Tehran and Beijing have continued to deepen under the guidance of the two countries' leaders.
He pointed to expanding cooperation in high-level exchanges, joint military exercises and personnel training, adding that China intends to further strengthen communication and practical cooperation with Iran's armed forces.
Hu also recalled remaining at the Chinese Embassy throughout what he described as the 12-day war and the subsequent 40-day conflict, saying the experience gave him a deeper appreciation of the resilience of the Iranian people and reinforced his commitment to strengthening bilateral ties.
The defense attaché emphasized that China remains firmly committed to peace, arguing that recent conflicts demonstrated the devastating costs of war. He reiterated Beijing's support for dialogue, negotiations and a comprehensive ceasefire, expressing hope that Iran and the United States would resolve their differences through peaceful means.
Strategic Vision
Representing Iran, Brigadier-General Mohammad Ahadi, deputy for international cooperation at the General Staff of the Armed Forces, praised China's role in promoting regional and international security and welcomed the continued expansion of bilateral relations.
He described China as an emerging global power rooted in Eastern civilization and said the growing partnership between Tehran and Beijing reflects the strategic vision of the leaders of both countries.
Ahadi also commended Beijing's global and regional security initiatives, expressing confidence that they could contribute positively to peace and stability in West Asia.
The ceremony reflected the increasingly close political and military dialogue between Iran and China at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions. While both sides emphasized defense cooperation, their public messaging centered largely on diplomacy, multilateralism and support for political solutions to regional disputes.
China has repeatedly positioned itself as a supporter of dialogue in the Middle East while opposing unilateral sanctions and external intervention. The latest statements in Tehran suggest Beijing intends to maintain that approach while steadily expanding its strategic partnership with Iran across political, economic and military spheres.
