WANA (Nov 27) – During a meeting between Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri, and China’s Minister of Culture and Tourism, Sun Yeli, a special message from President Masoud Pezeshkian was officially conveyed to Beijing. The message underscored the need to deepen cultural, tourism, and heritage-related cooperation, signaling Iran’s readiness to elevate bilateral relations to a more practical and comprehensive phase.

 

The meeting took place on Thursday, November 27, 2025, on the sidelines of the Second General Assembly of the Asia Cultural Heritage Alliance. At the outset, Salehi-Amiri highlighted the civilizational depth shared by both nations and stressed that current cultural and tourism exchanges fall short of the strategic level of relations between Iran and China.

 

Salehi-Amiri stated that he was carrying President Pezeshkian’s official message to the Chinese government, noting: “The President of Iran emphasizes the strength of our economic, political, and cultural relations, and expects this solid foundation to be further reinforced in the fields of cultural heritage, tourism, and handicrafts.”

 

He pointed to the year 2026 — marking the 55th anniversary of official diplomatic relations — as a significant opportunity for designating it as the Year of Iran-China Cultural, Archaeological, and Performing Arts Cooperation. He also praised the contribution of Chinese archaeologists to various excavation projects in Iran, including in Masouleh, which is on the verge of UNESCO World Heritage inscription.

 

Inviting China’s Minister of Culture and Tourism to attend the Tehran International Tourism Exhibition in February and the international Nowruz Festival, Salehi-Amiri emphasized that Sun Yeli would be welcomed as a “special guest of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” noting that such visits could open new pathways for bilateral initiatives.

 

He also presented Iran’s strategic proposals for expanded Asian cooperation and suggested the formation of a new Asian framework dedicated to strengthening collaboration in cultural heritage — a mechanism he said could enhance the soft power of Asian nations.

 

Highlighting Iran’s tourism potential, Salehi-Amiri stated: “Iran is one of the safest countries in the region and offers 20 internationally recognized tourism categories.” He noted Iran’s readiness to cooperate with China on museum technologies and artificial intelligence to promote cultural attractions more effectively.

 

Chinese Minister Sun Yeli welcomed Iran’s proposals, calling them “important and valuable,” and highlighting the potential for both countries to expand cooperative efforts in tourism. He expressed support for designating 2026 as a special year of bilateral cultural cooperation and proposed holding joint exhibitions, conferences, and collaborative projects.

 

Sun Yeli also endorsed Iran’s idea of creating a new Asian mechanism for cultural heritage cooperation, describing it as a promising initiative. He invited Salehi-Amiri for an official return visit to China, noting that extensive cultural events are being organized under the Belt and Road Initiative, and expressing China’s readiness to strengthen exhibition, archaeological, and cultural collaborations with Iran.