Iran-China Comparing Foreign Policy: Pragmatists Versus Revolutionists

Since the rise to power of Deng Xiaoping and his foreign policy architect, Zhou Enlai, almost coincides with the Islamic Revolution in Iran, the comparison of their foreign policy is considered significant. It is highly valuable because the two countries have adopted different approaches in their foreign policy since four decades ago. While Beijing has used the foreign policy as a means of economic development, Iranian foreign policy has been an obstacle to progress and economic growth. Moreover, in China, domestic affairs and economic priorities conduct foreign relations, and in return, Iran’s foreign policy achievements contribute to covering domestic challenges and tangible problems. More importantly, while Iran’s foreign policy priorities are constructed by strategic and security issues, China’s foreign policy serves economic growth and development. The article aims to address this matter, how the country that once was the poorest country in the Third World changes into the world’s second-largest economy, and Iran which once had an economy equal to South Korea is grappling with abundant financial and economic difficulties. Accordingly, the research intends to compare the foreign policy of Iran and China and display how different insights into foreign policy affect the development of a country.