According to the sources, Qalibaf was recently appointed to the position “upon the president’s proposal and the approval of the Leader.”

The sources noted that “given the nature of Qalibaf’s appointment, this responsibility differs in terms of the level of authority from previous representatives.”

They explained that Iran’s incumbent ambassador to Beijing, Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli, had previously served as the president’s representative for China affairs, while late Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani had acted as “the Leader’s special representative for China affairs.”

“However, Mr. Qalibaf has assumed this responsibility as Iran’s special representative following the president’s proposal and the Leader’s approval,” the sources added.