On the 23rd, Chinese President Xi Jinping had a meeting with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in the Saad Abad Palace in Tehran. The two recalled the history of the friendly ties between China and Iran and had in-depth exchanges on cooperation in various fields and international and regional issues of common concern. They agreed to establish comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, raise the bilateral relation to a new level, and bring more benefits to the people of both countries.

Xi Jinping said that both China and Iran are ancient civilizations. Friendly exchanges date back to over 2,000 years ago thanks to the Silk Road and ties between the two countries have been strong. Throughout history, the two countries have never been at war with each other and friendship and cooperation have always been the sole theme. In reality, we have no fundamental conflicts, only lasting mutual support and benefits. The friendship between China and Iran is deeply rooted in our long history of exchanges, mutual help in harsh times, and mutual support in regard to critical issues. The friendship finds solid foundation in our shared concept of win-win cooperation and mutual benefits and has weathered storms of changes in the international community. China hopes that the comprehensive Iran nuclear deal can be smoothly implemented, welcomes Iran to step onto the regional and international arena with brand new posture, and would like to join hand with Iran to push up to a new level the cooperation between the two countries in politics, economy, trade, energy, infrastructure, security, culture, and various other aspects.

Rouhani said that President Xi Jinping is the first head of state to visit Iran after the nuclear issue is settled and this testifies the level of the active friendship between the two countries. This visit will be a milestone in the history of the relation between the two countries. Iran attaches great importance to China’s crucial role in international affairs, bears in mind the long-term support and help that China has offered, and thanks China for its contribution to the political settlement of the nuclear issue. In the new situations, Iran would like to maintain high-level exchanges, deepen cooperation in economy and trade, investment, energy, finance, and environmental protection with China, and taken an active part in building the Silk Road economic belt and the Maritime Silk Road, and intensify communication and coordination in international affairs.

The two heads of state reached multiple consensuses and agreed to establish comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. With this as a new starting point and guiding principle, the two countries will reinforce mutual trust, promote cooperation, and bring more benefits to their people.

The two sides agreed to expand high-level exchanges as well as communication at all levels, maintain mutual understanding and support on issues relevant to the core interest of each side, strengthen cooperation within the multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, promote security cooperation, and make more contribution to world peace and stability.

The two sides also agreed to promote communication between think tanks, higher education institutions, and youths, make joint efforts to better run Confucius Institutes, deepen cooperation in journalism and tourism, expand mutual visits, and increase understanding and friendship between the two peoples.

Original title: Xi Jinping meets with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani