China–Iran relations

Common card · No. 347712

China–Iran relations (Chinese: 中国–伊朗关系, Persian: روابط ایران و چین) refer to the bilateral relations between the People's Republic of China and the Islamic Republic of Iran. The relationship between the two civilizations is one of the oldest continuous contacts in history, stretching back more than 2,500 years. Their earliest interactions began when the Achaemenid Empire and the Zhou dynasty had indirect contact in the 6th century BC. The first direct and official contact started between the Parthian Empire and Han dynasty around 200 BC, when the Chinese envoy Zhang Qian encountered the Parthian court. In 115 BC, Emperor Wu of Han, seeking to expand trade—especially in his search for high-quality horse herds—sent envoys with gifts to the court of Mithridates II.Persian merchants became the main carriers of goods and culture across Central Asia, bringing their religions, music, and ideas into China. Ambassadors were exchanged, and Chinese travelers visited Iran regularly. Each side introduced...

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