Beijing ready to boost partnership with aim of bringing stability to Middle East, he says
President Xi Jinping called for deeper strategic mutual trust between China and Iran as he reiterated the country's determination to develop the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership on Wednesday.
Xi's remark came as he met with Iranian Speaker of the Parliament Ali Larijani at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
Xi said China and Iran have a long-standing friendship, and their mutual trust and friendship have withstood the test of time.
The two nations should continue to offer each other mutual understanding and support on issues that are related to respective core interests and major concerns under the new circumstances, he said.
It is important for them to conduct closer communication and coordination, meet each other halfway and conduct pragmatic cooperation in a steady manner, Xi said.
He also called on the two nations to reinforce cooperation in areas including security, anti-terrorism and people-to-people exchanges, and enhance coordination in multilateral international occasions to jointly promote the building of a new type of international relations and a community with a shared future for mankind.
The exchanges between legislative bodies are an important part of the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership, he said.
The National People's Congress of China should step up exchanges and cooperation with the Iranian Parliament so they can learn from each other in governance experience and conduct closer communication and coordination within international and regional bodies, he added.
China has always been an advocate of peace in the region, and various international and regional parties should enhance cooperation to enable the Middle East to follow a path of stability and development at an early date, he said.
Xi also voiced China's support for Iran in playing a constructive role in safeguarding regional peace and stability, adding that Beijing is ready to maintain close communication and coordination with Teheran over regional affairs.
Larijani conveyed to Xi the greetings from Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Hassan Rouhani.
Iran has been developing relations with China from a strategic and long-term perspective, and closer friendship and cooperation between the two not only fits into the fundamental interests of the two countries but also is important for the peace, stability and development of Asia and the world, he said.
Iran stands ready to deepen mutual political trust with China, move forward with pragmatic cooperation and step up mutual support over international and regional affairs, he said.
xuwei@chinadaily.com.cn
