China and Iran embark on 'New Silk Road' path

From	Mikael Forsberg <mikaelforsberg@ymail.com>
Newsgroups	swnet.politik, se.transport.jarnvag
Subject	China and Iran embark on 'New Silk Road' path
Date	2016-01-23 03:20 +0100
Message-ID	<dgg6b7Fc01vU1@mid.individual.net> (permalink)

Cross-posted to 2 groups.

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China and Iran embark on 'New Silk Road' path

China and Iran have enjoyed close-knit relations, since China's Han 
Dynasty (207 BC - 220 AD) welcomed merchants from Central Asia, India 
and Persia (Iran) to trade goods in the country, which was known as the 
ancient Silk Road.

The old Silk Road had vanished, but in 2013, Chinese President Xi 
Jinping had introduced the new "Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st 
Maritime Silk Road" (Belt & Road) initiative to connect stronger 
logistics networks with Asia, Africa and Europe by building more roads, 
railways and airports.

Beijing has launched the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) - 
$US100bn. in capital and the $US40bn. New Silk Road Fund to fund major 
infrastructure projects in the region.

Tehran has already pledged to support the initiative with an investment 
of $US6bn. for the next six years.

Helping hand to overcome challenges

The United States and European Union had imposed sanctions against Iran, 
but they signed a nuclear accord, which ends sanctions. Tehran can 
revitalize its economy, and Xi's state visit to Iran this week comes at 
an opportune time.

Despite sanctions, China and Iran had maintained close trade ties. 
Statistics show that in 2015, Iran had exported 500,000 to 600,000 
barrels of crude oil per day to China.

Chinese oil & gas companies - Sinopec and CNPC - had commissioned 
projects to lease equipment and provide technical support for Iranian 
firms to develop LNG (liquefied natural gas) in South Pars Fields and 
oil in Yadavarian and North Azadeyan regions.

Rebuilding Iran, strength-for-strength

Iran holds substantial reserves of oil and gas, while the world's 
second-largest economy continues to experience higher than global 
average Gross Domestic Product (GDP) annual growth rates; which means 
strong energy demand from China.

Iran is strategically-located in the Middle East, sharing land borders 
with 15 nations, and sea channels on its northern and southwestern 
coasts. The country is expected to play a crucial role in the "Belt & 
Road" as an energy hub and access to extensive delivery routes 
connecting to the Middle East and Eurasia.

Iran can become a regional economic powerhouse. Iran's Minister of 
Industry, Mining & Trade Reza Netmatzadels announced that the country 
would build more railways; Chinese companies will supply the trains, 
rails, equipment, along with technical expertise, while Iranian 
contractors will construct the rail networks.

Persian tourism holds allure

There's more to Iran than its oil & gas. The nation holds a long and 
rich cultural history. Some of its traditions and artifacts still 
flourish today and have drawn many foreign tourists, including those 
from China.

Globe-trotting Chinese tourists, who wish to purchase exotic items 
including persian rugs and porcelain, are flocking to Iran.

ECNS (English-language China News Service) reports that in the northern 
Iran village, Ardebil, the mausoleum of Sheikh Safi-din, has on display 
dozens of porcelain, dating back to the 13th Century, which have 
dazzling images of animals and plants painted in blue, emblazoned on 
white china.

The porcelain had arrived from China, but Persian artisans used 
home-grown blue painting materials to design them. This could one of the 
reasons why modern-day Iranians take tremendous pride over their 
historic ties with China.

"Everybody in Iran knows about the Silk Road and that ancient Persia and 
China were two hubs of the trade route," said Sadeq Zibakalam, professor 
of Tehran University.

New Silk Road, a game-changer for Iran

For years, Tehran had struggled under sanctions, but Beijing did not 
forsake them. Accordingly, the "Belt & Road" is expected to rejuvenate 
Iran's economy and the shared benefits can boost global logistics 
networks that would spur more trade and investments for the region.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2016xivisitmiddleeast/2016-01/22/content_23208859.htm


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China and Iran embark on 'New Silk Road' path Mikael Forsberg <mikaelforsberg@ymail.com> - 2016-01-23 03:20 +0100

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