Strategic Studies of public policy

Strategic Studies of public policy

An Examination of the Strategic Elements in Iran-China Relations within the Foreign Policy Framework of the 13th Government

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
1 .Associate Professor of International Relations, Imam Sadiq University, Tehran,Iran.
2 Associate Professor of International Relations, Imam Sadiq University, Tehran,Iran.
3 PhD Candidate of Political sociology, Faculty of Islamic Studies and Political Sciences, Imam Sadiq University, Tehran,Iran.
Abstract
Individuals who assume significant responsibilities play a pivotal role in shaping the foreign policy of a nation. With the inauguration of the 13th government, there was a shift in the country’s foreign policy approach, mirroring the change in leadership. The new president, cognizant of the power transition in the international system from West to East, sought to balance his government’s foreign policy by enhancing engagement with the East, particularly the emerging Eastern powers, with China being a notable example.

Assessing a government’s foreign policy provides a valuable lens to evaluate its performance and identify its strengths and weaknesses. However, there is a noticeable lack of such research concerning relations with China during the 13th government. This study aims to ascertain the significance of the Iran-China relationship through an analysis of President Raisi’s speeches and to identify the strategic components of this relationship within the government’s Asian policy.

To conduct this research, Dr. Raisi’s perspectives, as a pivotal figure in shaping the government’s foreign policy on matters related to China, were extracted and analyzed using the thematic analysis method in MAXQDA software. Six organizing themes were extracted: “Strategic Partnership”, “Political-Security”, “Economic”, “Cultural”, “Scientific and Research”, and “Health and Treatment”. These themes fall under a global theme titled “Strategic Components of Iran-China Relations”, which emerged from the research findings.
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Refrences
Schiff, Maurice; & Winters, L. (1997). Regional integration as diplomacy. The World Bank.
Volume 14, Issue 50
Special issue looking at the foreign policy of the 13th government
Spring 2024
Pages 22-44