Iran-Saudi rapprochement result of Raisi’s China visit: Envoy

Mashhad, IRNA – China’s Ambassador to Iran Chang Hua says that a recent agreement in Beijing between Iran and Saudi Arabia to restore their diplomatic ties was a result of a February visit by Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi to China.

Chang made the remarks in a Saturday meeting with governor of northeastern Iranian province of Razavi Khorasan Ya’qoobali Nazari.

He said Beijing supports dialogue to solve disputes in the Middle East as he reiterated that relations between regional countries would be shaped by people in the region.

On March 10, China, Iran and Saudi Arabia issued a joint statement in Beijing announcing that Tehran and Riyadh would resume their diplomatic relations after some seven years.

Pointing to Raisi’s visit to China, Chang said the fruitful visit led to 18 major cooperation agreements between Iran and China, adding that he would do his best to help implement the deals.

The ambassador also criticized the Western media for trying to show a tarnished image of human rights situation in Iran and China.