On the afternoon of September 2, 2025, President Xi Jinping met at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who is in China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit 2025 and the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

President Xi noted that the China-Iran relationship has stood the test of changes in the world, and maintained steady and healthy development. Since we met in Kazan last year, departments of the two countries have actively implemented the important common understandings reached by the two sides, and bilateral cooperation has delivered many new outcomes. China always places its relations with Iran high on its diplomatic agenda in the Middle East. China stands ready to work with Iran to carry forward the friendship, deepen mutual trust, strengthen cooperation in such areas as trade, investment, clean energy and connectivity, enhance people-to-people exchanges, and jointly promote the steady and long-term growth of the China-Iran comprehensive strategic partnership. China has put forward the Global Governance Initiative, and will work with the international community including Iran to foster a more just and equitable global governance system, and build a community with a shared future for humanity.

President Xi emphasized that the use of force is not the correct means to resolve differences, while communication and dialogue is the right path toward lasting peace. China attaches importance to Iran’s repeated pledge that it does not seek to develop nuclear weapons, and respects Iran’s right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy. China supports Iran in safeguarding sovereignty, territorial integrity and national dignity, and defending its legitimate rights and interests through political negotiations. China will continue to uphold justice, work for a solution to the Iranian nuclear issue that accommodates the legitimate concerns of all parties, and make continued efforts for realizing lasting peace in the Middle East.

President Pezeshkian congratulated China on successfully hosting the SCO Tianjin Summit, and said during China’s presidency, political trust among member states has increased and cooperation in various areas has made positive progress. Iran is ready to strengthen cooperation with China under the SCO framework. China is Iran’s comprehensive strategic partner, and Iran attaches great importance to its relations with China. No matter how the international landscape may evolve, Iran will maintain its friendship with China and deepen cooperation with China. The Global Governance Initiative put forward by President Xi carries great significance for building a more just and equitable international order. Iran fully supports it and is ready to maintain close coordination with China to jointly oppose unilateralism and power politics, safeguard peace and stability in the Middle East, and work to put the Global Governance Initiative into practice and implementation.

Wang Yi was present at the meeting.