Iran One of Safest Countries in Mideast: Chinese Envoy

“Iran is one of the safest countries in the region and that is an honor for me as the Chinese ambassador (to the country),” Pang Sen told reporters at a press conference in Tehran on Tuesday.

He further stressed the need to boost security ties between Tehran and Beijing, saying the two countries should develop cooperation in various areas, including in the fight against terrorism and illicit drugs.

The Chinese diplomat also described current close cooperation between the two countries as a “win-win” situation and said military relations between Iran and China are expanding day by day.

Elsewhere in his comments, the ambassador pointed to a decision by several Arab states to sever diplomatic relations with Qatar and said, “Our recommendation is that the neighboring countries resolve the issue through dialogue and peaceful means.”

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Bahrain, the Maldives and a number of others on Monday cut off diplomatic ties with the Doha government, saying they will suspend air, sea and land transport with Qatar.

The Saudi kingdom made the announcement early on Monday, saying it was taking action for what it called the protection of national security.

Riyadh has accused Qatar of “harboring a multitude of terrorist and sectarian groups that aim to create instability in the region”.

Qatar said there is “no legitimate justification” for cutting diplomatic ties.

“For us, the strategic choice of the state of Qatar is to solve any dispute through dialogue,” Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said.