Senior CPC Official Visits Iran, Stresses Bilateral Cooperation

Li Changchun (R), a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, meets with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad in Tehran, capital of Iran, Sept. 28, 2010. (Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng)

TEHRAN, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Senior Communist Party of China ( CPC) official Li Changchun visited Iran from Tuesday to Wednesday, met with Iranian leaders and stressed bilateral cooperation.

Li, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau, conveyed sincere greetings and best wishes to Iranian people in a written speech issued upon his arrival at the airport early Tuesday morning.

Iran is an ancient civilized country with a long history which has created the splendid Persian civilization and made important contribution to the development and progress of human civilization, he said.

Exchanges between China and Iran began more than 2,000 years ago, and the ancient Silk Road witnessed the continuation and development of the friendship between the two countries, Li added.

"China values the traditional friendship between the two sides, and during my stay here I will meet and hold talks with Iranian leaders, exchange our ideas on boosting the bilateral relations, discuss new ways to promote political mutual trust and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and promote bilateral exchanges and cooperation in political, economic and cultural aspects to gain new achievements," he said at the airport.

Li met here Tuesday morning with the Iranian president and vice president to discuss bilateral relations.

When meeting with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, he thanked the Iranian leader for offering condolences to China when the country was hit by severe natural disasters, including the earthquake in Yushu, Qinghai province, and the mudslides in Zhouqu, Gansu province, and his attendance at the Shanghai Expo to celebrate Iran's National Pavilion Day.

With joint efforts by the two countries in recent years, bilateral relations have maintained a good momentum, political mutual trust has been enhanced and bilateral trade cooperation has been widened, exchanges in culture, education and tourism have been expanded, and traditional friendship between the two peoples has been deepened.

The two countries are faced with challenges as well as development opportunities regarding regional and world stability, tackling the impacts of the international financial crisis and boosting economic development, he noted.

The CPC official said China is willing to cooperate with Iran to seize the opportunities to consolidate and develop bilateral relations in various areas.

Li put forward a four-point proposal to develop bilateral relations, including maintaining high-level contacts and deepening political mutual trust, boosting pragmatic cooperation, strengthening cultural exchanges, and maintaining coordination in international affairs.

Li and Ahmadinejad exchanged their views on international and regional issues of common concern.

Li reiterated China's stance to solve the Iranian nuclear issue through negotiations. "China is willing to continue playing a constructive role in this regard," he said.

Ahmadinejad asked Li to convey his greetings to Chinese President Hu Jintao and said he agreed with Li's proposal on further boosting bilateral relations.

The Iranian president pointed out that Iran and China share similar views on the current world situation and global issues, and they face similar challenges and opportunities.

"Development of friendly relations between the two countries is in the interest of the two peoples and regional peace," he said. "Iran will continue implementing friendly policies toward China, boost pragmatic cooperation in different fields and realize the common development of the two sides."

While expressing appreciation for China's long-standing efforts to help solve the Iranian nuclear issue, he said Iran is committed to solving the issue through negotiations.

Li Changchun (R, Front), a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, holds talks with Iranian Vice President Mohammad Reza Mir-Tajeddini in Tehran, capital of Iran, Sept. 28, 2010. (Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng)

Earlier in the day, Li also met with Iran's Vice President Mohammad Reza Mir-Tajeddini.

Li spoke highly of the relations between China and Iran in recent years, and said the steady development of bilateral ties has benefited the two peoples.

Mir-Tajeddini said Iran is willing to work closely with China to explore new areas in bilateral cooperation, which has huge potential, and deepen exchanges in fields including culture and journalism.

After their talks, Li and Mir-Tajeddini attended a signing ceremony of cooperation agreements in culture, education and journalism, and they also jointly unveiled the China Central Television's (CCTV) Tehran Bureau.

On Tuesday afternoon Li visited the Confucius Institute at Tehran University, where he encouraged the Iranian students to constantly improve their Chinese level and become professional translators to make contributions to bilateral relations.

The Confucius Institute, the first in Iran, is co-founded by Yunnan University of China and Tehran University. It was officially opened in Tehran on Jan. 1, 2009.

He told the Iranian students in the institute that he was moved by their strong interest in learning Chinese. While presenting some Chinese culture-experiencing equipment and books to the institute, Li said he hopes the institute can use these books and equipment to promote its Chinese-teaching capacities.

President of Tehran University Farhad Rahbar said the Confucius Institute has been playing a very important role in promoting Chinese teaching in Iran and boosting bilateral cultural cooperation, adding that the university is willing to further boost cultural and educational cooperation between the two countries.

Li also watched performances of Chinese martial arts, poetry recitation and Chinese lion dance by the Iranian students in the Confucius Institute.

After visiting Confucius Institute at Tehran University, Li went to the site of Metro line 4 in Tehran, which was jointly constructed by Iran and China.

Li said the operation of the Metro line 4 is a product of the bilateral economic and trade exchanges, and he hopes that with joint efforts by the two sides the Metro line 4 can be turned into a line of friendship and cooperation between the two sides.

"I hope more achievements about our cooperation can be acquired in the future," he added.

Li Changchun (L), a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, meets with Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani (R) in Tehran, capital of Iran, Sept. 28, 2010. (Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng)

On Tuesday afternoon, Li also met with Iranian Majlis ( parliament) Speaker Ali Larijani and praised the latter for his commitments to developing bilateral ties.

The friendship between our two countries goes back to ancient times, and since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Iran, the bilateral cooperation and exchanges in various areas have been expanded, Li said. "I hope the bilateral ties can maintain this good momentum."

Li spoke highly of the friendly cooperation between National People's Congress (NPC) of China and the Iranian Majlis, and expressed his hope to expand exchanges and cooperation at all levels and in multiple fields to make new contributions to boosting the overall relations between the two countries.

Larijani said the two countries have a long history of friendship, and the bilateral economic and trade cooperation has achieved satisfying results, from which Iranian people have benefited greatly.

"Iran welcomes China to continue it's good momentum in overall development, and hopes to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and open a new stage in bilateral relations," he added.

On Wednesday morning, Li met with staff from the Chinese embassy in Iran, representatives from Chinese organizations, Chinese students studying in Iran, and attended a seminar participated in by representatives from Chinese organizations in Iran.

Later on Wednesday, Li met with the Governor of Iran's Fars province and expressed his views on enhancing bilateral cultural exchanges between the two sides at both state and provincial levels.

Iran is the last leg of Li's four-nation tour which has taken him to Estonia, Montenegro and Ireland.

Source: Xinhua