by Bo Wang, Wenjia Luo and Jinghan Zhao•Published on April 22, 2026

I. Historical Foundations and the Evolution of Strategic Ties

The friendly exchanges between China and Iran are not a modern phenomenon but rather a continuation of a relationship that dates back to the 2nd century BC. Historical records highlight that Gan Ying, acting as a deputy envoy to Ban Chao, traveled to Iran during the Han Dynasty, effectively establishing a vital trade route that connected the Chinese heartland through the Iranian plateau to Ancient Rome. These profound historical origins have provided a solid practical foundation for a relationship that has grown increasingly stable over time.

On August 16, 1971, the People’s Republic of China and the then-State of Iran formally established diplomatic relations. Since that milestone, the two nations have consistently adhered to the basic principles of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit, and non-interference in each other’s internal affairs. This commitment has allowed them to forge close cooperative relations across diverse fields, including politics, economy, culture, and security. As influential representatives of the developing world, China and Iran have supported and coordinated closely on the international stage, jointly safeguarding the common interests of the Global South and opposing external interference in regional affairs.

In January 2016, a new chapter began when President Xi Jinping paid a state visit to Iran, during which the two countries established a comprehensive strategic partnership. This was followed by the deep integration of China’s Belt and Road Initiative with Iran’s Vision 2030, expanding the breadth and depth of bilateral cooperation. On March 27, 2021, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Iran to sign the “Comprehensive Cooperation Plan between the People’s Republic of China and the Islamic Republic of Iran”. This 25-year strategic partnership framework charts the course for bilateral growth, focusing on energy, trade, infrastructure, and technology to achieve mutual complementarity.

II. Key Provisions and Practical Cooperation Areas

The 25-year partnership is a long-term agreement where China intends to invest significant capital into Iran to modernize its national infrastructure. In return, Iran ensures a stable supply of energy resources, creating a win-win scenario for both nations’ development needs.

• Energy Sector Stability: The two countries maintain a long-term and stable cooperation in energy; Iran, as a major global energy exporter, provides essential support for China’s energy security, while China offers the technology and funding necessary for the upgrading and transformation of Iran’s energy industry. Iran provides China with oil at favorable rates for the duration of the agreement, which is crucial for China to run its massive economy.
• Infrastructure and Manufacturing: China participates in a number of key projects in Iran, helping improve its transportation, water conservancy, and industrial systems to enhance Iran’s national development potential. Under the agreement, Chinese companies help Iran build roads, railways, ports, and factories, providing the money and technology Iran needs to develop.
• Economic and Trade Growth: Bilateral trade between China and Iran stood at US$13.37 billion in 2024, comprising US$8.93 billion in Chinese exports and US$4.44 billion in imports. From January to September 2025, trade reached US$7.49 billion, with Iran actively participating in the 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE) with both national and commercial pavilions to assess market demand.
• Science, Technology, and Health: The two sides have strengthened technical cooperation and personnel exchanges. A notable example is a project funded by China’s voluntary financial support under the South-South cooperation framework to establish local manufacturing capacity for rapid HIV diagnostic kits in Iran, accelerating Iran’s response to HIV/AIDS.
• Cultural and Educational Exchange: Confucius Institutes have been established at the University of Tehran and Mazandaran University, while five Iranian universities offer Chinese language programs. Conversely, prestigious Chinese universities such as Peking University and Beijing Foreign Studies University offer Persian language programs to deepen mutual understanding. Organized group tours for Chinese citizens to Iran have been active since 2011, fostering friendship between the two peoples.

III. The Impact of the 2026 Conflict

The geopolitical landscape in 2026 has been drastically altered by the current war involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. This conflict, which Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated “should never have happened and benefits no party,” has created a complex environment of rising uncertainties, resurfacing hegemonism, and intertwined regional hotspot issues.

1. Challenges and Risks to the Partnership

The turbulent regional situation has brought significant challenges to the advancement of the 25-year partnership.

• Safety of Personnel and Investment: The war environment poses a direct threat to cooperative security. Fighting makes it unsafe for Chinese companies to operate, as workers may be in danger and physical investments like roads or factories could be destroyed by military attacks.
• Energy Corridor Security: The Strait of Hormuz, a global energy corridor, has been impacted by the conflict. While Iran claims the strait remains open for safe passage, Foreign Minister Araghchi clarified that this does not apply to nations currently engaged in hostilities, introducing risks of shipping blockades or supply interruptions.
• Economic Disruptions: Energy price fluctuations and supply chain disruptions caused by the war have affected trade between the two countries. Furthermore, external interference and the imposition of unreasonable unilateral sanctions based on “lies and false information” create uncertainties for bilateral relations and project implementation.
• Diplomatic Balancing Act: China must navigate a delicate balance; supporting Iran too much could lead to sanctions from the U.S. and Israel, while supporting it too little could anger Iran and lead to reduced oil sales or trouble for Chinese projects.

2. Strategic Opportunities in Times of Crisis

Despite these risks, the war has fostered new opportunities for deeper collaboration between China and Iran.

• Enhanced Dependency: As U.S. sanctions prevent Iran from buying from American or European companies, Iran must find alternative partners, making China the “best choice”. This war effectively makes Iran depend more on China for technology, money, and goods, giving China more influence in the relationship.
• Shift in Global Focus: The U.S. is currently required to spend significant money and attention on the Middle East conflict. This preoccupation means the U.S. has less capacity to focus on competing with China in Asia, allowing China to continue growing stronger while the U.S. is busy fighting.
• China’s Role as a Peacemaker: While other powers are engaged in conflict, China can position itself as a neutral peacemaker advocating for stability. China emphasizes that all conflicts should be solved through dialogue and negotiation, asserting that “talking is always better than fighting”, which improves its image to the rest of the world.

IV. China’s Diplomatic Position and the 5-Point Plan

During the 2026 Two Sessions, Wang Yi outlined China’s position on the Iranian situation, citing the ancient adage: “War is a deadly weapon; one must be cautious in its use”. He called for an immediate cessation of military operations to prevent escalation and proposed five fundamental principles for Middle East stability:

1. Respect for National Sovereignty: The sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iran and all Gulf nations must be respected.
2. No Abuse of Force: The world must not revert to the “law of the jungle” through military aggression.
3. Non-interference in Internal Affairs: Regional matters should be decided autonomously by the countries within the Middle East.
4. Political Resolution: All parties should return to the negotiating table to address contentious issues.
5. Constructive Role of Major Powers: Global powers ought to uphold justice and follow the right path rather than fuel conflict.

V. Future Prospects for the 25-Year Partnership

The strategic value of the China-Iran 25-year partnership has become more prominent in this context, serving as a pillar for both countries to respond to external risks. Top-level political will remains firm; in January 2026, Iranian Deputy Minister Jalalzadeh stated that Iran fully supports cooperation with China and will safeguard the safety of Chinese personnel.

As 2026 marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, both sides are looking to strengthen strategic mutual trust and explore emerging sectors like the digital economy and new energy. From the perspective of the 25-year partnership, the two countries should:

• Maintain regular high-level exchanges to build consensus on regional situations.
• Deepen practical cooperation in trade and infrastructure to overcome the adverse impacts of the war.
• Advance security cooperation to combat threats like terrorism and extremism.
• Strengthen cultural exchanges to consolidate public support for the partnership.

VI. Conclusion

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East poses a real and present challenge to the implementation of the 25-year cooperation agreement. However, the fundamentals of China-Iran relations remain solid. China’s adherence to a position of “ceasefire and a political solution” provides a predictable political environment for long-term cooperation. While the pace of large-scale projects may face adjustments or slowdowns due to safety concerns, the partnership is unlikely to break. As long as both sides uphold the principles of mutual respect and equality, they will surely overcome these difficulties, allowing the China-Iran friendship to shine more brightly in this new, albeit turbulent, era.

Disclaimer. The views and opinions expressed in this analysis are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of MEPEI. Any content provided by our author is of his opinion and is not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone or anything.