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Xi Reassures Raisi Everything is OK Between China and Iran

by Eric Olander
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a welcoming ceremony in Beijing, China, February 14, 2023. Image via Xinhua.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi is undoubtedly relieved that his meeting on Tuesday with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping went smoothly and (at least on the surface) Tehran’s ties with Beijing seem back on track.

Over the past year, there’s been mounting concern in Iran that China is prioritizing its relations with Tehran’s rivals Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Saudi Arabia is now China’s largest oil supplier and the number one recipient of Belt and Road development financing, while the UAE is emerging as a major Chinese logistics hub.

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