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China-Iran strategic cooperation agreement in the changing international system

Abstract Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the international political and economic system has changed dramatically. The Western powers are in decline, while the non-western Asian and Eurasian powers are rising. The three-century-long Western dominated international system is giving way to a mixed system with Global North and Global South playing predominant roles simultaneously. In face of the changing international system, China and Iran are promoting strategic docking, and their relations have been updated from the comprehensive strategic partnership in 2016 to the 25-Year Strategic Cooperation Agreement in 2021. This development demonstrates the resilience of China’s strategic partnerships in the Middle East, and is conducive to building a more balanced international system and fostering South-South cooperation. The updated Sino-Iranian relations is defensive, and it does not target any third party, nor does it change China’s non-alignment policy in the Middle East. It is conducive to promoting regional reconciliation between Iran and Saudi-led Arab countries.