Iran Press/ Asia: Xi Jinping made the remark in talks with Ebrahim Raisi, president of the Islamic Republic of Iran, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, on his 10th foreign trip in the last 18 months, arrived in Beijing, the capital of China and the country's second-largest city, on Tuesday morning, and was welcomed by the Chinese Minister of Culture and Tourism.
The two presidents pledged to enhance comprehensive cooperation between China and Iran while hailing the countries' traditional friendship and the sound development of bilateral ties.
They agreed that the two countries should support each other on issues concerning their own core interests, strengthen communication on international and regional affairs, and jointly oppose hegemony and bullying.
During the talks, Xi said that amid the profound changes in the international situation, China and Iran have constantly consolidated their strategic mutual trust and steadily advanced pragmatic cooperation. They have promoted their common interests and upheld international fairness and justice, writing a new chapter for the China-Iran friendship, he added.
China supports Iran in safeguarding its sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, and national dignity as well as resisting unilateralism and hegemony, and opposes attempts by external forces to interfere in Iran's domestic affairs and undermine its security and stability, Xi said.
He expressed China's willingness to implement the agreement on the China-Iran comprehensive cooperation plan, which was signed by the two countries in March 2021, and deepen pragmatic cooperation in trade, agriculture, industry, and infrastructure.
China stands ready to continue promoting the joint building of the Belt and Road with Iran to enhance mutual connectivity, and the country is willing to increase imports of high-quality Iranian agricultural produce, Xi said.
He highlighted the importance of stability in the Middle East, saying that upholding stability matters to the well-being of the countries and people in the region and also has great relevance to world peace, global economic development, and the stability of energy supplies.
Noting that China appreciates Iran's willingness to actively improve relations with neighboring countries, Xi said that China supports countries in the region in resolving their differences through dialogue and consultation to realize good neighborliness.
China is willing to continue to play a constructive role in promoting regional peace and stability, he added.
Xi also called for strengthening communication and coordination between China and Iran within multilateral frameworks, including the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, practicing true multilateralism and jointly safeguarding the common interests of developing countries.
China will continue to participate in the negotiations on resuming the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on the Iran nuclear issue, support Iran in upholding its legitimate and lawful rights and interests, and advance the proper settlement of the Iran nuclear issue at an early date, Xi concluded.
Before the talks, Xi held a grand welcoming ceremony for President Raisi.
