Abstract:
This thesis focuses on Chinas assistance to Irans nuclear program during 1988-2008. The objective is to analyze the reasons for China's assistance to Iran's nuclear program. It employs the concept of Foreign Aids as conceptual framework. The study found that at the end of Iran-Iraq war, Sino-Iranian economic relations had remarkably grown when China offered Irans post-war reconstruction. Not only did China give a loan, but also assisted Irans nuclear program. But at the turn of 21 century, owing to global and regional security, Chinas assistance to Irans Nuclear Program became an international issue. China opposed UNs resolution of economic sanctions against Iran and made clear that Iran had the rights to have a nuclear program for a peaceful use.Chinas assistance to Irans nuclear program during 1988-2008 had a lot to do with Chinas economic growth strategy to meet its rising energy needs. As Iran was the worlds third largest oil reserves and the worlds third largest exporter of oil, it was therefore not surprising that China's policy focused on energy security to stimulate economic growth through its cooperation with Iran in energy field in four areas, namely oil, natural gas, upstream and downstream industrial development, and the construction of oil and gas pipelines.