Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with his counterpart Wang Yi in Beijing during a one-day visit to China. The meeting took place ahead of the critical meeting expected to be held by the US and Chinese leaders next week.
The two ministers discussed bilateral relations and regional developments. Wang Yi and Araghchi had also met in Beijing in May.
Second face-to-face meeting in Beijing
Araghchi’s latest meeting with Wang Yi was their second face-to-face meeting in the Chinese capital since the attacks launched by the United States and Israel against Iran on February 28.
The two foreign ministers also attended the BRICS Summit held in New Delhi, the capital of India, over the weekend and held a brief meeting there.
China-Iran economic relations
China is one of the largest importers of Iranian oil under the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. Economic ties and discounted energy supplies occupy an important place in relations between Iran and China.
Bilateral trade between China and Iran exceeded $41 billion last year.
Conflict around Iran and diplomatic efforts
In February, the United States and Israel carried out wide-ranging attacks in Iran targeting government buildings, military facilities, missile infrastructure and air defense systems. Iran responded with missile and drone attacks against Israel and US bases in the region.
Ceasefire efforts and diplomatic initiatives between the parties have continued after the conflict spread across the region.