BEIJING – When Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei penned a post on X in both Persian and Chinese about bilateral relationship, the symbolism was unmistakable.

His words resonated deeply: “Iran and China, as two ancient civilizations on the eastern and western wings of Asia, not only share a deep historical heritage but also possess transformative power to reshape regional and even global order. The full implementation of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership will lay a solid foundation for this process.”

The post quickly went viral in China—not only because of its message, but also because of the respect it conveyed in reaching out directly in the Chinese language. It was more than diplomacy. It was a gesture of friendship, of recognition, and of shared civilizational pride.

The timing was notable. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) had just opened its largest-ever summit in Tianjin, gathering more than 20 national leaders and the heads of 10 international organizations. At the meeting, members adopted a 10-year development strategy and issued a joint statement marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. Over a dozen agreements were signed, spanning security, the economy, and people-to-people exchanges—laying out the direction for the SCO’s long-term growth.

In his keynote address, Chinese President Xi Jinping highlighted that the SCO has become the world’s largest regional organization, now encompassing 26 participating countries with a combined economic output of nearly 30 trillion US dollars. Its global appeal and influence, he noted, are “increasing by the day.”

China and Iran, both members of the SCO, exemplify what this organization is designed to achieve. Despite being the group’s largest economy and a global leader in technology, China does not lecture others, interfere in domestic politics, or abandon commitments when government changes. Instead, it builds trust.

The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership signed in 2021 charts a long-term roadmap: energy cooperation, infrastructure, green technologies, digital industries, artificial intelligence. These are not abstract slogans but tangible avenues for shared growth. For China, Iran’s role along the Belt and Road Initiative is indispensable; for Iran, China is a partner that values stability, respect, and reciprocity.

This stands in stark contrast to Iran’s experience with the West. For decades, Washington and its European allies have treated Iran not as a sovereign partner but as a problem to be managed. The record is clear: promises made, promises broken. The nuclear deal (JCPOA) is a case in point—negotiated in good faith, only to be unilaterally abandoned by the United States, while Europe proved unable or unwilling to honor its commitments. Today, Europe again threatens sanctions, despite its silence when Iran was illegally bombed during negotiations.

Through platforms such as the SCO and BRICS, Iran is empowered instead of being sidelined. Here, sovereignty is respected, multipolarity is advanced, and cooperation is built not on confrontation but on fairness and equality.

That is what China offers—and why Iran’s deepening partnership with China points toward a new international reality. Together, the two nations are not merely enduring Western pressure; they are shaping a more balanced world order. For both Iran and China, and for the wider Global South, the moment for strategic clarity has arrived.
Qinduo Xu is a senior fellow at Pangoal Institution, a local think tank in Beijing.