Redefining Iran's Strategic Relations with Emerging Powers in the New International Economic Order: A Case Study of Bilateral Relations with China

The Islamic Republic of Iran, in the fast-paced process of transformation in the world economic order, needs a fundamental transition from a vulnerable resource-oriented economic structure (oil) to a manufacturing-oriented economic model (industrial production). China, as one of the emerging powers effective in the formation of the new economic order, has an important capacity to create a new role for Iran at the regional and international level, but the bilateral relations between Tehran and Beijing have remained limited to the sale of oil and oil products. The main purpose of this research is to answer the question of how to redefine strategic relations with China according to the characteristics of the new world economic order. The findings of this research show that the most important concern that can cause a strategic link between Iran and China in the future is the overlap between China's need for continued economic growth and forming a new value chain and Iran's vision to become the factory of West Asia. With a new design, Iran can define an important part of its industrial development strategy and technological transformation program in the form of cooperation between Iranian and Chinese companies around the Belt and Road initiative corridor from Iran, and by learning and transferring experience and technology from China in A period of 5 to 10 years to become the main producer of factory industries in the region.