In a post on his Twitter account on Thursday, Mohammad Keshavarzzadeh said the plan for the establishment of China’s consulate general in Bandar Abbas signifies the growing significance of Iran’s role in China’s regional equations.
“It (opening of consulate) could play a significant role in the promotion of trade between the two countries,” the envoy added, noting that Bandar Abbas has the necessary infrastructures for trade exchanges.
“Iran has had consulate generals since years ago in three major cities of China, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong,” the Iranian ambassador said.
On Wednesday, the Iranian cabinet of ministers granted permission for the opening of China’s consulate general in Bandar Abbas.
The permission has been conditional on reciprocal measures and conformity to the relevant rules and regulations.
China became Iran’s top trading partner in the previous Iranian year which ended on March 20.
The value of non-oil trade exchanges with China in Iranian year 1399 (March 2020-March 2021) stood at $18,715 million.
In March 2021, the foreign ministers of Iran and China signed a 25-year agreement to develop cooperation between the two countries in various fields.
The Iran-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership was announced in a joint statement during a visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Tehran in 2016.