Xi meets Iran's parliamentary speaker

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Iran's Majlis (parliament) Speaker Ali Larijani in Beijing,  Oct 30, 2013. [Photo/Xinhua]

BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday met with Iran's Majlis (parliament) Speaker Ali Larijani in Beijing, vowing to jointly push forward friendly cooperation in multiple areas.

Xi commended the fruitful bilateral exchanges and cooperation in recent years, noting that the sound development of China-Iran ties is in line with the common interests of the two countries and has positive impacts on peace and stability in Middle East.

China will continue to treat bilateral relations from a strategic height and long-term perspective, and is willing to work with Iran to inherit and develop traditional friendship, he vowed.

China welcomes positive changes in Iran's nuclear situation and will continue to play a constructive role in seeking a peaceful resolution of the issue within the framework of the G5+1 (Russia, China, Britain, France, the United States and Germany), said the president.

Larijani extended greetings from Iranian Supreme Leader Seyed Ali Khamenei and President Hassan Rowhani to Xi.

He said the successful change of Iran's leadership has opened a new chapter in Iran-China relations.

Iran attaches great importance to ties with China and expects to enhance cooperation in the areas of the economy and trade, energy and investment, according to Larijani.

The speaker also briefed Xi on Iran's views on its nuclear issue and regional situation.

Larijani is visiting China from October 29 to November 1 at the invitation of Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature.