The Iranian and Chinese Armies have increased consultations and meetings to boost their cooperation in defensive fields, namely in intelligence sharing, Fars News Agency (FNA) reported.
Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan and Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari held separate meetings with visiting Deputy Chief of Staff of China's Army on Wednesday during which both sides underlined the necessity for the development of the two countries' military cooperation.
“Both sides agreed to reciprocal visits to the two countries’ fleet of warships and training centers. In addition, intelligence cooperation was paid attention and we hope that these agreements will come into force by a joint naval committee and in the form of a cooperation pact,” Sayyari said.
General Dehqan added that cooperation between Tehran and Beijing has entered a new stage in all fields, especially in defense fields, and expressed the hope that the two countries' cooperation would enhance to strategic levels. In relevant remarks, a senior Iranian Commander underlined the country's resolve to further develop military ties with China along with bilateral economic relations.
“Iran and China enjoy common positions and we want to expand our military ties like economic relations,” Head of the Services and Joint Affairs of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri said in a meeting with the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Chinese Army.
“We share similar positions on the US unilateralism and we are seeking formation of an Asian structure and development of the Shanghai Treaty,” he added.
General Baqeri said that Tehran and Beijing also have identical views on the necessity of fight against terrorism and extremism and restoration of stability in Syria and Iraq.
Iranian and Chinese officials in a meeting in Moscow in April underlined the two countries' determination to further strengthen military relations.
“Iran and China have enjoyed good relations since long ago. The current conditions in the world necessitate strengthening and consolidating bilateral and multilateral defense and military cooperation,” Chinese Defense Minister General Chang Wanquan said in a meeting with his Iranian counterpart Brigadier General Dehqan on the sidelines of the Fourth International Security Meeting.
Chang also underscored the necessity for implementation of defensive agreements signed by the two countries.
In September, for the first time, a detachment of China's fleet of warships docked in Iran's territorial waters in the Southern port city of Bandar Abbas. An Iranian flotilla was in the Sea of China in 2013 to deliver Iran's message of peace and friendship to the Chinese.
