China's alliance with Iran: building for long term influence
- 2006
Iranian support is a crucial factor in China's pursuit of regional hegemony. China will increasingly compete with Moscow for a share in Iran's defence market. From their perspective the optimal outcome in Iran would be success for its nuclear ambitions and subsequent energy reserves as a reward for its unflinching support. Future military sales Iran have grown continually stronger. Chinese-Iranian military co-operation appears to be increasing.