BEIJING, July 15. /TASS/. The comprehensive deal on Iran’s nuclear program reached in Vienna on Tuesday will allow Beijing to increase trade and cooperation with Tehran, China Daily has reported, citing a former Chinese ambassador to Egypt.
"Iran has a strong desire to participate in China's Silk Road initiatives amid Tehran's ambitious plans to revive its economy. Closer economic links would also boost the "going global" strategy of Chinese enterprises and further elevate China's ties with other Middle East countries," the report says, citing An Huihou.
An expert in Middle East studies at China’s Ningxia University, Li Shaoxian, said "the reopening of the Iranian market would increase economic competition between China and Western countries," according to the report.
"China has advantages including rich knowledge of the local market and huge foreign exchange reserves that could be invested," the report reads.
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Policy director of the Brussels-based think tank Friends of Europe, Shada Islam, said Beijing could help Tehran to mitigate the impact of the sanctions by providing short-term "emergency aid".
"In the long run, the focus will of course be on the development of Iran's infrastructure and oil and gas sector," Islam said adding: "Given its location and diverse regional interests, Iran will also inevitably play a crucial role in China's [new] Silk Road proposal."
Iran and six major powers (five permanent UN Security Council members plus Germany) reached a historic nuclear deal in Austria’s capital on Tuesday that limits Tehran’s nuclear program in exchange for gradual suspension of sanctions.