The lifting of economic sanctions against Iran has heralded a "new era" in relations between Beijing and Tehran, according to the Chinese newspaper Renmin Ribao.

With the lifting of�economic sanctions against�Iran already in�place, Tehran and Beijing have started to�revive bilateral trade and economic ties,�the Chinese newspaper Renmin Ribao�(People's Daily) reported.

The newspaper quoted Hua Liming, former Chinese Ambassador to�Iran, the United Arab Emirates and the Netherlands, as�saying that Sino-Iranian economic and trade ties, which have suffered severe setbacks over�the past�30-plus years, are set to�enter a new phase in�the coming years.
"As the sanctions have been lifted, Iran's oil exports are back on�track," Hua said, adding that the Iranian economy is most likely to�benefit not only from�oil exports to�China, but�also from�Chinese investment and technology.


The newspaper also cited Li Shaoxian, an expert on�Middle East studies at�Ningxia University, as�saying that promoting Sino-Iranian economic cooperation was a highlight of�Chinese President Xi Jinping's recent visit to�Iran.

Li remained upbeat about�Iran's future, saying that "if Iran is able to�take advantage of�this opportunity, its rapid growth can be expected in�the near�future."

At the same time, Le predicted that China is almost sure to�face pressure from�all those countries which are currently seeking to�cooperate with�Iran.In this vein, Li underscored that there will certainly be more space for�Sino-Iranian cooperation, touting China as�Iran's largest trade partner and a strategic complement to�Iran.

Li also suggested that according to�the framework of�China's "One Belt, One Road" strategy, areas of�bilateral cooperation can be expanded beyond�the infrastructure and energy fields.

Against the backdrop of�closer trade ties, Hua also called for�more cooperation in�education, tourism and other cultural exchanges.
"Iran is rich in�tourist resources. With the domestic political situation in�the country being stabilized, Iran may become a popular tourist destination for�Chinese in�the near�future," Li concluded.


By Sputnik