Iran has suddenly lodged a protest with China, just after officially thanking the Chinese government for expressing condolences over the plane crash of President Laisin. According to Iranian media reports, on June 2, the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Chinese Ambassador to Tehran to protest the baseless claim in Article 26 of the Sino-Arab Joint Declaration, which asserts the sovereignty of Abu Musa Island, Greater Tunb Island, and Lesser Tunb Island in the Persian Gulf under the United Arab Emirates, whereas Iran believes these islands belong to Iran.
It turns out that the recent state visit of UAE President Al Nahayan to China led to the signing of a joint declaration that touched upon the issue of the three islands, sparking Iran’s discontent. Iran emphasized the “special and perfect relationship” between Tehran and Beijing.
Iranian diplomats stated that considering the strategic cooperation between Iran and China, Tehran hopes Beijing will reconsider its position on this issue. The Chinese Ambassador expressed that he would convey Iran’s protest to the government. How will China, which seeks good relations with various parties in the Middle East, respond to Iran’s protest?
In response to Iran’s anger, China first defended by saying that both the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council and Iran are friends of China, and China’s development of relations with both parties is not aimed at any third party. Subsequently, the top leadership of the Communist Party dispatched Hu Chunhua, then Vice Premier of China, leading an economic and trade delegation to Iran to calm the situation.
During Hu Chunhua’s meeting in Tehran with the recently deceased Iranian President Laisi, greetings from Xi Jinping and others were conveyed. Chinese state media described the meeting as showing that “China regards China-Iran relations from a strategic perspective, and the determination to develop a comprehensive strategic partnership with Iran will not waver, firmly supporting Iran against external interference and upholding national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national dignity.”
Iran’s demands require more than just verbal appeasement, as they also involve a significant financial investment by China. It is evident that Hu Chunhua’s visit with the trade delegation to Iran was aimed at meeting Iran’s demands. In this regard, Chinese state media were vague, stating only that efforts were being made to advance the comprehensive cooperation plan between China and Iran, promoting practical cooperation and making new progress.
Iranian media reports provided a more detailed account, stating that China and Iran will jointly invest in projects worth billions of dollars to promote cooperation in economics, industry, energy, transportation, finance, and banking plans. These fall under the projects of a 25-year cooperation agreement signed between China and Iran in 2021. Although it is described as a joint investment, China definitely takes the lion’s share, as Iran would not have “calmed its anger” otherwise.
Furthermore, with Iran once again expressing discontent towards Beijing, it is likely that they are pressuring China to make concessions. If China does not comply, it may continue secretly supporting actions against the United States, such as backing Hamas, providing military assistance to Russia, stirring up trouble in the Middle East, involving American efforts. China, caught in Iran’s grip, is likely to continue fulfilling some of Iran’s demands in exchange for peace, but at what cost? It is worth paying close attention to.