Why does China not want to put pressure on the Iranian government on the eve of the meeting between Trump and Xi?
On the eve of the important meeting between the American leaders and China at the White House, which is scheduled to take place on October 2, Beijing is apparently trying to gain more leverage in negotiations with its main geopolitical rival by emphasizing its intrusion into Iran.
However, there is little expectation that the meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping in Washington will lead to a major opening on Iran.
Trump has shown that he will focus mainly on the economic results in this meeting. China's leader has taken a similar approach by establishing a council of senior executives of major companies.
But Beijing's diplomatic moves on the eve of the meeting could be significant. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Irakchi in Beijing on September 25. This was the fourth speech of the two ministers in the last three months. In this meeting, while saying that Beijing does not want to "witness the spread of regional tensions to Yemen and the Red Sea", Wang described Iran and China as "comprehensive strategic partners"; Asymmetric relations that weigh on Beijing's benefit.
China is Iran's largest trading partner and according to the market analysis company "Kepler", more than 80% of Iran's oil exports go to China. On the other hand, according to Beijing's official statistics, Iran accounts for only about 1 percent of China's total foreign trade.
China's foreign minister said that Beijing "also wants to strengthen dialogue and cooperation with Iran and protect Iran's legitimate rights and interests."
He also asked "all parties" to act to "reopen" the Strait of Hormuz quickly; Before the Iran-US war, about a fifth of the world's oil and gas passed through the waterway.
But Wang did not press Iran directly, nor did he present a specific plan for mediation.
Read the full report on the Radio Farda website.