The joint webinar between the Institute for Political and International Studies (IPIS) and the Tahi Institute of China about bilateral and regional issues was held on Wednesday, May 18, 2022. The meeting was attended by Dr.Mohammadhassan Seikholeslami, President of IPIS, Mr.Wu Hailong, President of said institute, and a number of studies experts on both sides.

The meeting was held in the form of two panels “Bilateral Developments”, and “Latest Regional Developments”, to answer the following questions: “What is the landscape of Iran/China relations? How is East and West Asia’s recent security architecture? What is China’s take on the Persian Gulf’s security arrangements?

Here are the major topics touched upon at the session:

*The Islamic Republic of Iran and China, as two partners in the international system, are facing various issues. However, the two countries are determined to remove the existing barriers and strengthen the ties on various dimensions. In doing so, implementing the 25-Year Cooperation Agreement in regional plans such as the One Road, One belt Initiative could be of huge significance.

*China and Iran need to strengthen cooperation through direct communication of the two countries’ people, because the western media have taken large steps to change the two sides’ views towards each other. However, boosting the two countries’ cooperation in clean energies, military and defense, financial, technology, information, and artificial intelligence areas must be put on top of agenda.

*The Ukraine and Russia war has caused some changes in the region and world’s security architecture. It is urgent that China and Iran augment their cooperation to solidify world peace and stability and counter extremism.

*The intensification of China/US rivalry, as a big global power and an emerging power, can be witnessed all over the world, including n the Middle East. The US policy in the region is legitimizing Israel in the region. In fact, a multipronged foreign policy for recognizing Israel by some Arab states has been raised that could be a significant development in the West Asia region.