Iran, China friends in hard times: Pres. Raeisi

Describing Iran and China as good friends in difficulties, Iranian President Seyyed Ebrahim Raeisi called for the expansion of strategic cooperation between the two states.

According to Tasnim news agency,  President Raeisi, who is on a state visit to China, held a meeting with Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China Li Zhanshu in Beijing on Tuesday.

Highlighting the friendly relations and the historical commonalities between Iran and China, the president described the two countries as friends during hard times.

Stressing the need to maintain and strengthen strategic cooperation between Tehran and Beijing, President Raeisi pointed to the significant role of parliamentary cooperation in the development of ties and praised the National People's Congress of China for its constructive support for the promotion of relations.  

The two sides further emphasized the necessity of using the potential of regional and extra-regional mechanisms.

The Iranian delegation also urged the exchange of experiences as the National People's Congress of China has formulated and ratified plans for the development of China.

President Raeisi is visiting Beijing at the official invitation of his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.

In March 2021, the foreign ministers of Iran and China signed a 25-year agreement to develop cooperation between the two countries in various fields.

The Iran-China  25-Year Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement was announced in a joint statement during a visit by the Chinese president to Tehran in 2016.

ME