Xi meets Iranian president

Xi Jinping Holds Talks with Iranian President Rahim

Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, February 14 (Reporter Liu Hua) On the afternoon of February 14, President Xi Jinping held talks at the Great Hall of the People with Iranian President Rahid Rahi, who is on a state visit to China.

Xi Jinping pointed out that China and Iran have a traditional friendship, and the relationship between the two countries has withstood the test of various international vicissitudes. In the face of the current complex situation of changes in the world, times, and history, China and Iran support each other, work together in solidarity and cooperation, and join hands to fight against the new crown epidemic. Strategic mutual trust has been continuously consolidated, and practical cooperation has been steadily advanced, promoting common interests and safeguarding international equity. Justice has written a new chapter in China-Iran friendship. China is advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation in an all-round way through Chinese-style modernization, unswervingly promoting high-quality development and high-level opening up, unswervingly safeguarding world peace and promoting common development. China has always viewed and developed China-Iran relations from a strategic perspective. No matter how the international and regional situation changes, China will unswervingly develop friendly cooperation with Iran and promote the continuous new development of China-Iran comprehensive strategic partnership, which has not been seen in a century. Play an active role in world peace and human progress amidst major changes.

Xi Jinping emphasized that China supports Iran in safeguarding national sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, and national dignity, supports Iran in resisting unilateralism and bullying, opposes external forces interfering in Iran's internal affairs and undermining Iran's security and stability, and is willing to continue to work together on issues involving each other's core interests. Iran firmly supports each other. China is willing to work with Iran to implement the comprehensive cooperation plan between the two countries, deepen practical cooperation in trade, agriculture, industry, infrastructure and other fields, and import more high-quality Iranian agricultural products. China is willing to continue to cooperate with Iran in the joint construction of the "Belt and Road" to promote connectivity and expand people-to-people and cultural exchanges.

Xi Jinping pointed out that maintaining the stability of the Middle East is critical to the well-being of countries and people in the region, and is crucial to maintaining world peace, promoting global economic development, and ensuring a stable supply of energy. China appreciates Iran's willingness to actively improve relations with neighboring countries, supports countries in the region to resolve conflicts through dialogue and consultation, and achieve good-neighborliness and friendship. China is willing to continue to play a constructive role in promoting regional peace and stability. China is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with Iran on multilateral platforms such as the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, practice true multilateralism, and safeguard the common interests of developing countries. China will continue to participate constructively in the negotiations on the resumption of implementation of the comprehensive agreement on the Iranian nuclear issue, support Iran in safeguarding its legitimate rights and interests, and promote the early and proper resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue.

Leahy said that the friendship between Iran and China has withstood the test and has become stronger over time. As two independent major countries, the relationship between Iran and China is based on the spirit of mutual respect, and they are sincere strategic partners worthy of mutual trust. Iran's determination to deepen and enhance the Iran-China comprehensive strategic partnership is unswerving and will not be affected by any changes in the international and regional situation. The Iranian side hopes to strengthen exchanges at all levels with the Chinese side, implement the Iran-China comprehensive cooperation plan, and deepen practical cooperation in trade, infrastructure and other fields. It welcomes Chinese companies to invest in Iraq and looks forward to more Chinese tourists visiting Iraq.

The Iranian side thanks the Chinese side for providing valuable help to Iran in fighting the new crown epidemic, and thanks the Chinese side for upholding justice on issues such as the negotiation of the comprehensive agreement on the Iranian nuclear issue. Iran firmly supports China's "Belt and Road" initiative, global development initiative and global security initiative and will actively participate in it. Both Iran and China firmly oppose unilateralism and hegemony, and firmly oppose external forces interfering in internal affairs. Iran firmly supports China in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity. Iran is willing to strengthen communication with China on international and regional affairs, maintain sound cooperation in multilateral occasions such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and jointly safeguard international fairness and justice, as well as regional and world peace and security.

The two heads of state also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern.

After the talks, the two heads of state jointly witnessed the signing of a number of bilateral cooperation documents in the fields of agriculture, trade, tourism, environmental protection, health, disaster relief, culture, and sports.

Before the talks, Xi Jinping held a welcome ceremony for Leahy in the North Hall of the Great Hall of the People.

A 21-gun salute was fired at Tiananmen Square, and soldiers of honor lined up to pay tribute. The two heads of state stepped onto the reviewing stand, and the military band played the national anthems of China and Iran. Accompanied by Xi Jinping, Leahy inspected the guard of honor of the Chinese People's Liberation Army and watched the parade.

Wang Yi, He Lifeng and others participated in the above activities.

During Leahy's visit to China, the two sides will issue the "Joint Statement Between the People's Republic of China and the Islamic Republic of Iran."