Going into the meeting, Ra’isi was undoubtedly aware that since the 25-Year Iran-China Strategic Cooperation Agreement was signed in March 2021, Chinese investment in Iran has failed to materialize.  Over the years, although some signs of increased diplomatic and economic engagement have been seen, little progress has been made in attracting Chinese capital. This is likely due to sanctions and ongoing unrest in Iran, contributing to a sense that Iran was a risky environment that would likely yield poor returns.