China's Xi conveys support for Iran during Raisi's visit

Chinese leader Xi Jinping expressed support for Iran during a visit by its president as Tehran tries to expand relations with Beijing and Moscow to offset Western sanctions over its nuclear development. His comments came as China hosted Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi during his first state visit to the Asian economic giant and the first by an Iranian president in 20 years. Xi called for a proper resolution to the Iran nuclear issue as he expressed Beijing's "Solidarity" with Iran amidst global uncertainty. China will continue to "Participate constructively" in talks to resume negotiations on implementing the Iran nuclear agreement, Xi told Raisi in talks in Beijing. "In the face of the current complex changes in the world, times, and history, China and Iran have supported each other [and] worked together in solidarity and cooperation," Xi said, according to state broadcaster CCTV. Pressure over Ukraine. "Ebrahim Raisi's visit comes as both China and Iran strengthen their relationships with Russia. Both sides say they're opposed to a world order led by the United States and its allies." Last year, Iran and China also began the implementation phase of a 25-year cooperation accord under which China is to invest billions of dollars in Iran's petroleum sector in exchange for the supply of oil and petrochemical products.