On April 8, 2024, Chinese ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Iran Chang Hua published a Farewell Message "I will remember the moment when I depart ,The song of farewell echoes in my heart" in Islamic Republic News Agency. The full text is as follows:
“I will remember the moment when I depart ,
The song of farewell echoes in my heart.”
——Farewell Message from the Chinese Ambassador to Iran Chang Hua
In June of 2019, as the early summer covered with lush greenery, I arrived in Iran. In April of 2024, as the late spring engulfed with blooming flowers, I am departing. Served as an Ambassador of China to Iran for nearly five years, Tehran has already become my hometown. In fact even before I came to Iran, I was fascinated by its rich history and splendid civilization. Wherever the heart goes, so goes the body. As the 14th Chinese Ambassador of China to Iran, I am privileged to have been witnessing the "highlight moments" of China-Iran relations, experiencing the "live stories" of bilateral cooperation, contributing to the ever fostering friendship .
We have been walking hand in hand, with heads of state diplomacy leading the way. Over the past five years, China and Iran have maintained close high-level exchanges, continuously promoting new progress in bilateral relations. President Xi Jinping and President Raisi have been keeping in close contact in various channels. In February 2023, I participated in the reception of President Raisi's visit to China and witnessed the historic meeting between the two heads of state in Beijing. The two presidents reached a series of new important consensus on China-Iran relations, which elevated the China-Iran comprehensive strategic partnership to a higher level and opened a new chapter in China-Iran friendship and cooperation. The Iran-Saudi dialogue was successfully held in Beijing, breaking the ice between the two important neighboring countries. China, Iran, and Russia held the "Security Bond" naval drill three times to jointly maintain regional maritime security. The first meeting of the China-Pakistan-Iran trilateral consultation on counter-terrorism and security was convened in Beijing, which is a productive step taken by the three countries to act on the Global Security Initiative and enhance regional security and stability. With China's strong support, Iran successfully joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the BRICS cooperation mechanism, platforms by which we jointly promote the development of global governance in a more fair and reasonable direction.
We have been cementing cooperation in the face of global headwinds , with practical cooperation making steady progress. In 2021, China and Iran signed the Comprehensive Cooperation Plan, an overall blueprint for the long term progress of China-Iran comprehensive strategic partnership. Practical cooperation between the two countries in various fields has been steadily carried out. Iranian exhibitors have been participating in every China International Import Expo since 2019, and bringing specialty products of Iran to Chinese and global markets through the CIIE platform. China has been Iran's largest trading partner and the most important export destination for Iranian goods. In 2023, Iran's agricultural exports achieved breakthrough with apples and mandarins entering Chinese market through the "air corridor" and gradually became known and consumed by Chinese. The two governments are working together to implement China-Iran Comprehensive Cooperation Plan and deepen practical cooperation in trade, agriculture, industry, infrastructure, scientific innovation as well as new energy.
We have been supporting each other through thick and thin, with people-to-people links strengthening. Solidarity in times of hardship, assistance in times of need, understanding and concern in weal and woe, China-Iran friendship is always a two-way journey, arousing warm-hearted responses from each other. There are many moments still vivid in my mind. In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Iran took the lead in supporting China, with tens of thousands of people signing "Stay strong, China". After the outbreak of the pandemic in Iran, a large number of China-aided supplies arrived in Iran, and the arrival of the first Chinese medical team marked the unity in fighting the pandemic. The Freedom Tower in Tehran lit up in "China Red" to celebrate the Chinese New Year. At the end of 2022, the Chinese Consulate General in Bandar Abbas was officially opened, creating a new channel for promoting local cooperation. The "China Film Week", the first China-Iran Joint Stamp Exhibition, and the Zhejiang Celadon Exhibition have successfully advanced exchanges and mutual learning between the two civilizations. At the “Beijing Winter Olympics Dream” painting exhibition, Iranian children drew pictures of ice and snow in their innocent eyes, expressing their expectations for the games. Hundreds of Iranians showed their love for traditional Chinese Kung Fu at the first Martial Arts Festival in Iran. During the 2023 "Heaven to Earth Dialogue", Iranian teenagers shouted "Hello! This is Iran!" loudly to the Chinese astronauts in Shenzhou-15 space station. At the "China-Iran Friendship Night", Iranian friends tasted Chinese food, listened to Chinese music, and told their stories about China... All these moments were filled with precious warm feelings that would remain unshakable and became even firmer as time goes by, laying a solid foundation for the people-to-people friendship between China and Iran.
My story about Iran is just a short footnote in the book of friendship between China and Iran. During my journey here, I owe my gratitude to the Iranian government and all the Iranian friends who have offered the great assistance and convenience during my stay. I would also like to extend my thanks to every Chinese compatriot, oversea student, and friend from Chinese ventures in Iran for their care and support to the relationship between our two countries. And also my appreciation goes to my colleagues at the Embassy and Consulate-General who have worked tirelessly alongside me, including the local Iranian staff who have done the wonderful jobs. I hope that you will continue to offer your valuable support to my successor and help to further develop the China-Iran friendship and cooperation.
Looking back on the 1,700 some days and nights, precious memories consists of my explorations of wonderful places and the cordial interactions with Iranian friends. During my tenure, I have visited 17 provinces and cities, from Shiraz, the "birthplace of Persian civilization", to Yazd, the "City of Wind Towers", from Isfahan, "half of the world", to Gilan, the "land of abundance", everywhere I went, I had extensive exchanges with Iranian friends from all walks of life. I have been deeply impressed by the sincerity and enthusiasm of the Iranian people towards China. As I am leaving my post, I sincerely wish Iran, a country with glorious history and civilization, a bright future. I hope that the nation, which has always shown great courage and resilience, will continue to prosper and shine with even greater brilliance.
Khajoo Kermani, the famous Persian poet once wrote: "I will remember the moment when I depart, and the song of farewell echoes in my heart." Although I am leaving Iran, I will always cherish the memories and care about Iran and the friendship between China and Iran. I will keep my effort of contribution to it in my new post. Distance may separate us, but bond and friendship will remain forever.