Beijing Underlines Importance of Ties with Iran

TEHRAN (FNA)- Senior Chinese officials stressed that Beijing attaches much importance to its relations with Tehran, and is seeking to further broaden ties and cooperation with the Islamic Republic in all the various fields.
Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi met with his Iranian counterpart Ali Akbar Salehi in Beijing on Monday, where Jiechi reiterated that his country is seeking to boost and bolster its friendly ties with Iran in different areas.

Pointing to the position of the two countries in the regional and international arenas, he said Iran enjoys a priority in China's foreign policy.

The Chinese foreign minister said exchange of views and dialogue on important bilateral, regional and international issues could be of very positive outcomes for both countries especially in developing a common understanding between them.

Salehi described China as a new emerging economic power in the world.

Terming the two countries as two complementary powers in the world political arena, he said, Iran as an independent country which enjoys rich energy resources, is a good and reliable friend for China.

Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi left for Beijing at the head of a delegation on Sunday.

During his stay in Beijing, Salehi is due to meet with senior Chinese officials to discuss bilateral ties and explore avenues for the expansion of mutual cooperation between the two states.

The Iranian foreign minister and the Chinese officials are also due to exchange views on the latest developments in the region.

Salehi will then leave Beijing for Indonesia to attend the 16th ministerial meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in Bali.

The Iranian foreign minister will also attend a joint meeting with his Egyptian and Cuban counterparts on the sidelines of the NAM meeting.