Xi's visit to Iran 'very important' for mutual ties: expert

TEHRAN - The upcoming visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Iran is "very important" for both countries, as it may lead to a leap in the mutual ties after years of restraint due to Western pressures, an Iranian economic expert told Xinhua on Saturday.

"It is a very important visit in my opinion, because it will help China to remain Iran's still biggest trade partner," Dr. Saeed Leylaz said.

After the removal of Western sanctions against Iran, European businessmen would rush to the country, which may cause a decrease in the volume of trade between Iran and China, Leylaz said.

"However, China will be Iran's biggest trade partner even with the presence of the Western enterprisers," and Xi's visit in the wake of the sanction removal is highly important for both sides, he said.

According to China's Foreign Ministry, Xi will pay a state visit to Iran from Jan. 22 to 23 at the invitation of Iran's President Hassan Rouhani.

The visit will be days after the International Atomic Energy Agency announced Saturday that Iran has completed the necessary preparatory steps to start the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), an international deal on Tehran's nuclear program reached in July, 2015.

After the UN nuclear watchdog's announcement, the European Union and the United States lifted their economic sanctions against Iran.

International business has showed their eagerness to invest in Iran after the nuclear deal is implemented and sanctions removed. A number of Western officials and business delegations have visited Iran for post-sanction cooperation.

Lifting the sanctions would unfreeze a huge amount of assets, around tens of billions of U.S. dollars, and allow Iranian oil to be sold internationally. Tehran would be able to get access to the international financial system after being isolated for years.

As it opens an opportunity for the Western countries, so it holds true for China, Leylaz said.

In the competitive climate of post-sanction era in Iran, "I suggest Chinese solution to Iran's economy," he said, meaning to "concentrate on China, after the lift of sanctions, to have better quality goods and cheaper at the same time."

Besides, China's investments in Iran, alongside credit lines offer, would help China well compete in the Iranian market, Leylaz said. "It will bring huge expansion of ties between Iran and China from economic point of view."