BEIJING, Dec 28, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - The top diplomats of China and Iran agreed 
Saturday that the Middle East is "not a battleground for the big powers" and 
should not be an arena of geopolitical competition between countries outside 
the region.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi agreed 
that "the international community should respect the sovereignty, security, 
stability, unity and territorial integrity of Middle East countries," 
according to a readout from Beijing's foreign ministry.

Araghchi is on his first visit to China since being appointed foreign 
minister of Iran.

The two major trading partners reiterated calls for a ceasefire in Gaza, the 
proper implementation of the ceasefire in Lebanon, and the "integrated 
promotion of counter-terrorism, reconciliation and humanitarian processes in 
Syria", according to the readout.

"The two sides agreed that the Middle East belongs to the people of the 
Middle East, and is not a battleground for the big powers, and should not be 
a victim of geopolitical competition and conflicts between countries from 
outside the region," the ministry said.

China and Iran were both supporters of ousted Syrian president Bashar al-
Assad. Syria's new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, is an ardent opponent of Tehran.

Araghchi and Wang also discussed Iran's nuclear programme, which governments 
including Britain and the United States say could be on its way to building 
weapons.

Tensions have soared over Tehran's nuclear ambitions since then-president 
Donald Trump pulled the United States out of a landmark agreement that traded 
sanctions relief for limits on Iran's nuclear program.

China is a signatory to that agreement, and Wang told Araghchi Saturday that 
Beijing "firmly supports the Iranian side in safeguarding its legitimate 
rights and interests".

China is Iran's largest trading partner and a top buyer of its sanctioned 
oil.