BEIJING – When Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei wrote a post about bilateral relations in both Persia and China, the symbolism was unmistakable.
His words resonated deeply. “As two ancient civilizations on the wings of Asia’s eastern and western wings, Iran and China have transformative powers to not only share deep historical heritage, but also reconstruct the regional and global order.
The post quickly went viral in China not only for its message but also for the respect it was conveyed when reaching out directly in Chinese. It was more than diplomacy. It was a gesture of friendship, recognition, and shared civilized pride.
The timing was remarkable. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) has just opened its largest summit in history in Tianjin, bringing together more than 20 national leaders and heads of 10 international organizations. At the meeting, members adopted a 10-year development strategy and issued a joint statement to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. More than a dozen agreements have been signed, spanning security, the economy, and people-to-people exchange.
In his keynote address, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasizes that SCO is the world’s largest regional organization and currently covers 26 participating countries, combining economic output of nearly USD 30 trillion. Its global appeal and influence “is increasing by that day,” he noted.
Both members of the SCO, China and Iran, illustrate what the organization is designed to achieve. Despite being the group’s biggest economy and global leader in technology, China does not lecture others, interfere in domestic politics, or abandon its commitment when government changes. Instead, it builds trust.
The comprehensive strategic partnership, signed in 2021, charts long-term roadmap including energy cooperation, infrastructure, green technology, digital industry, and artificial intelligence. These are not abstract slogans, but concrete paths to sharing growth. For China, Iran’s role in line with the Belt and Road Initiative is essential. For Iran, China is a partner that values stability, respect and reciprocity.
This is in stark contrast to Iran’s Western experience. For decades, Washington and its European allies have treated Iran not as a sovereign partner, but as a matter of control. The record is clear: promise, promise is broken. Nuclear Trade (JCPOA) is an example of this, only to be denied in good faith and unilaterally abandoned by the United States, but Europe has proven unable or unrespected its commitment. Today, Europe is once again threatening sanctions despite the silence that occurred when Iran was illegally bombed during negotiations.
Through platforms such as SCO and BRICS, Iran is empowered instead of being sidelined. Here, sovereignty is respected, multipolarity advances, and cooperation is built on equity and equality rather than conflict.
That’s what China offers. And why Iran is deepening its partnership with China points to a new international reality. Together, the two countries are not merely enduring Western pressure. They form a more balanced world order. A moment of strategic clarity has arrived for both Iran and China, and for the broader global South.
Qinduo Xu is a senior fellow at Pangoal Institution, a local think tank in Beijing.