China, Iran Sign Policing Pledge During Iranian Police Chief’s Beijing Visit

This Comes as the Two Countries Face an Increasingly Hostile International Environment and Antagonism from the West.

Growing China-Iran Ties

Beijing’s Public Diplomacy Efforts in the Country Date Back as Early as 2016, When Chinese President Xi Jinping Called for Strengthened Exchanges in Culture, Education, Journalism, Publishing and Tourism Ahead of His State Visit to Iran.

Escaping Economic Isolation

Iran Became a Member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (Sco), a Beijing-Led Security Bloc, in July and Will Officially Join Brics This Year.

China and Iran Pledge Cooperation Ahead of Brics Summit

Alex Vatanka, Founding Director of the Iran Programme at the Washington-Based Middle East Institute, Said That Both China and Iran Were Eager to Boost Their Presence in Each Other’s Societies, but for Different Reasons.

China-Iran Academic Connections

China’s Efforts to Transform from an Economic Partner to a Powerful Player on All Fronts in Iran Have Also Paid Off, Especially in the Academic and Educational Fields.

Mandarin Learning Boom as China Extends Its Soft Power in Middle East

“Many People Support Me When They Learn That I Am Studying in China, and They Would Like to Come to China to Study, ” Said Nika, Who Will Begin Phd Studies in Shanghai in September. She Added That Most of Her Friends and Family Think “China Is a Very Developed Country”.

Mixed Views of China in Iran

However, Analysts Said the Exchanges Had Not Necessarily Succeeded in Beijing and Tehran’s Goals of Projecting a Positive Image to Ordinary People in Each Other’s Countries.

‘The Truth’: China Seeks to Build Soft Power Through Cultural Counteroffensive

“Others Are No Doubt Wary of China, Concerned That the Economic Relationship Already Is, or Is Likely to Become, Unbalanced. Still Others Are Presumably Disappointed That China Has Been Slow to ‘Deliver’ on Its Economic Pledges.

Iran Launches Satellite as Part of Western-Criticised Programme

Despite Government Restrictions, Iranian People Can Easily Access International Farsi-Language Media Based in London or Washington, Such as Bbc Persian, Vatanka Said.

Friction Between Public and Government

Steering Exchanges Through Officially Sanctioned Channels Has Been Another Obstacle for China in Overhauling Its Image in Iran, According to Fan from Shanghai.

China and Iran Push Public Diplomacy, but Will Beijing’s Soft Power Tactics Work in the Islamic Republic?

By James H. Sterling

• Oct 8, 2026 • 9 min read

China and Iran Push Public Diplomacy, but Will Beijing’s Soft Power Tactics Work in the Islamic Republic?

Direct Answer • Key Takeaway

“Everyone, Everything Is Thriving. [Iranian] People Care About Each Other, and They Talk About Politics. It Is Like China 20 to 30 Year's Ago, ” Liang Said.

James H. Sterling

Environmental Science & Climate Journalist

James Sterling reports on renewable energy developments, climate policy, ecological conservation, and green tech innovations around the globe.

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