Iran-China trade to reach dlrs 30b in 2008

Beijing, July 14, IRNA Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Zhai Jun said on Monday that Iran-China bilateral trade will reach dlrs 30 billion by year end.

He made the remarks in a meeting with the visiting Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Mohammad-AliHosseini.

The Chinese official further expressed his satisfaction with thecurrent level of bilateral trade between the two states.

Tehran-Beijing trade stood at dlrs 12 billion in the first five months of 2008, he said, adding that the figure shows an increase of 57 percent as compared to the corresponding period last year.

He expressed the hope that the 13th session of Tehran-Beijing Joint Economic Commission would be held soon.

Hosseini arrived in the Chinese capital city on Sunday to deliver a message from President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to his Chinese counterpart, President Hu Jintao.

He is to meet Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi this afternoon to submit the message.

During his two-day stay, Hosseini is to discuss issues of mutualinterest with several senior officials of the country.