Foreign Policy Blogs

China: A Growing Influence in Iran

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This Al-Jazeera video examines the strong trade relationship that exist between China and Iran.  As the report shows, oil exports, which account for nearly half of Iran’s revenues , are being cut off from the West, they are being increasingly exported to Asian countries – and a big percentage of that to China.  In return China is investing billions in Iran’s gas and oil fields.

The strong trade relations are the most likely reason why Wen Jiabao, the Chinese premier, has made it clear he does not agree with Western demands for sanctions over Tehran’s disputed nuclear program, and has insisted he will maintain “close co-operation” with Iran.

 

Author

Sahar Zubairy

Sahar Zubairy recently graduated from the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas- Austin with Masters in Global Policy Studies. She graduated from Texas A&M University with Phi Beta Kappa honors in May 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics. In Summer 2008, she was the Southwest Asia/Gulf Intern at the Henry L. Stimson Center, where she researched Iran and the Persian Gulf. She was also a member of a research team that helped develop a website investigating the possible effects of closure of the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf by Iran.