Are Iran-China defence relations on an upswing? Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami has arrived in China’s capital Beijing where he is expected to discuss defence cooperation with Chinese officials. Iran already shares strong defence relations with US’ arch-rival Russia and is keen to bolster ties with Beijing.
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General Hatami’s was invited by the Chinese Defense General Minister Wei Fenghe. He would meet various Chinese military and political officials for talks on defence matters besides regional and international developments.
Iranian defence minister told reporters that Iran’s relations with China were rooted deep in history and that both had satisfying cooperation in the area of defence. He emphasised that ongoing international and regional developments require strong China-Iran relations. He went on to add that his visit aimed to prepare the grounds for the implementation of a treaty signed between the countries’ defence ministers in 2016.
Iran and China signed a deal to expand defence cooperation in November 2016. According to the then Iranian defence minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan, the treaty endeavoured to boost collaboration on long-term strategic interests as well as countering the expanding threat of terrorism.
