Iran's Special Envoy for China Affairs Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf has emphasized the urgent necessity of transforming existing capacities and strategic documents between Tehran and Beijing into actionable, operational cooperation that delivers concrete economic and political achievements.

He made the remarks in an editorial published in Seday-e Iran, the online newspaper of the Office for the Preservation and Publication of the Works of the Martyred Leader of the Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, on the occasion of the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Iran and China.

Qalibaf noted that the bilateral relationship has successfully navigated major regional and international shifts over the past five decades.

However, he stressed that the true value of this enduring relationship will only be realized when it adapts to the new global conditions by evolving into deeper and more sustainable cooperation.

Highlighting the strategic vision of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei regarding balanced relations with China, Qalibaf asserted that interaction with major powers must transcend ceremonial agreements.

Instead, he said, ties must be firmly rooted in mutual interests, tangible outcomes, and sustainable collaboration, with the ultimate evaluation based on operational projects and real added value for Iran's national interests.

Four-pillar roadmap for strategic ties

Qalibaf outlined four main axes as the roadmap for developing Iran-China interactions, focusing heavily on the shifting global balance of power and regional security.

The first pillar centers on China's role in ending the ongoing war and moving past the prolonged state of "neither war nor peace."

Qalibaf noted that China's experience in countering US unilateralism and supporting the Global South presents crucial opportunities for Iran, and that synergy between Tehran and Beijing can consolidate their strategic partnership while helping resolve existing crises.

The second pillar addresses the new regional security architecture in West Asia following the recent war.

Qalibaf emphasized that recent developments have proven sustainable regional security must be guaranteed by the countries of the region themselves, as relying on "imported security" from foreign powers can no longer meet the region's needs.

He highlighted Beijing's constructive role and its relations with Iran and Arab states as vital to shaping a new, stable regional order.

The third pillar focuses on the structural transformation of the international system toward a multipolar and polycentric world.

Pointing out the rising economic and geopolitical weight of Asia and emerging economies, Qalibaf highlighted the shared principles of Iran and China, including respect for national sovereignty, multilateralism, and opposition to unilateralism.

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In this context, he stressed the importance of leveraging the capacities of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the BRICS bloc to elevate Iran's international standing.

The fourth and final pillar centers on the expansion of economic, technological, and long-term investment cooperation.

Qalibaf called for a significant increase in joint production, technology transfer, and developmental investments between the two nations.

While acknowledging the 25-year Comprehensive Cooperation Program as a vital long-term framework, he warned that its success depends entirely on defining specific projects, securing financing, and ensuring executive accountability.

He also proposed aligning Iran's Seventh Development Plan with China's Fifteenth Five-Year Plan as a key strategy to accelerate bilateral relations.

Need for cohesive execution mechanism

In the final section of his article, Qalibaf addressed the domestic administrative requirements needed to sustain this strategic partnership.

He emphasized the necessity of coordinating government bodies, the private sector, economic institutions, universities, and technological centers. He noted that the diverse capacities for cooperation with China only become a strategic advantage when guided by a unified national direction.

Clarifying his own mandate, Qalibaf stated that the mission of the Special Envoy is to facilitate cohesion, prioritize agendas, accelerate decision-making, and pursue cross-sectoral macro issues, rather than replacing the executive bodies responsible for implementation.

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To achieve this, he proposed the formation of a dedicated headquarters tasked with macro-policymaking, strategic leadership, conflict resolution, and overseeing the execution of bilateral projects.

Concluding his assessment, Qalibaf affirmed that the political will in both Tehran and Beijing to expand and deepen relations remains high.

However, he cautioned that true success relies on establishing a coherent chain from decision-making to execution and evaluation, ensuring that every major agreement is supported by a clear execution pathway, defined responsibilities, financing mechanisms, and measurable progress.