|
|
Iran Key for Silk Road, Chinese Ambassador Emphasizes
24 May 2017
EIRNS—Tehran Times published an article by China’s Ambassador to Iran, Pang Sen, yesterday ("The Silk Road: Glorious Past and Even Brighter Future"), which reviews their two nations’ past collaboration in the ancient Silk Road, and expresses infectious optimism for Chinese-Iranian cooperation along the New Silk Road today.
"For centuries, Iran has been one of the most important traffic hubs and trading centers along the B&R," Ambassador Pang wrote. "Located at the conjunction of the B&R, Iran enjoys an outstanding geo-strategic position. Since the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action between P5+1 and Iran in 2016, the internal and external environment of Iran has improved a lot, which provides better condition for the cooperation between China and Iran." He reviewed the projects underway, as Chinese and Iranians companies cooperate "in many fields such as energy, transportation, machinery, metallurgy, hydro-power, electricity, telecommunication, construction materials, and automobile. The construction of the Tehran-Qom-Isfahan high-speed railway is underway; the Tehran-Mashhad railway modernization project is about to commence; the new line of Tehran metro goes smoothly; and the Yiwu-Tehran direct cargo train has made its initial voyage. Two important oil projects, namely the North Azadegan Project of the China National Petroleum Corp. (CNPC) and the Yadavaran Project of China Petroleum and Chemical Co. (SINOPEC), had been completed late last year," while the CNPC and the NIOC had signed a new head agreement for the development of South Pars gas field. Nowadays, more and more Chinese companies are opening business in Iran and the Chinese-funded R&D parks and automobile industry zones are in operation." Iran’s active participation in drawing up the blueprint for future cooperation at the just-concluded "magnificent" Belt and Road Forum in Beijing will inspire and promote greater cooperation, the Ambassador concluded. |
