Chinese President Begins State Visit to Iran

On the night of January 22 (Vietnam time), Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in the capital Tehran, beginning a state visit to Iran to strengthen the traditional friendship and promote economic cooperation between the two countries.

This is also the final stop on the Chinese leader's tour to three Middle Eastern countries including Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Iran.

Chinese President Xi Jinping. (Source: Press TV)

Accompanying Xi Jinping were three Deputy Prime Ministers, six Ministers and a business delegation. Welcoming Chinese President Xi Jinping at the airport was Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

According to the schedule, Mr. Xi Jinping will have talks with host country President Hassan Rohani and Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Iran's Foreign Ministry said the two sides will sign 17 agreements during the Chinese leader's visit.

Meanwhile, Xinhua news agency said this was the first state visit in 14 years by a Chinese head of state to Iran.

According to Xinhua, President Xi Jinping and President Hassan Rouhani will discuss measures to coordinate their respective national development strategies and promote cooperation in both economic and political fields. During the visit, the two sides are expected to elevate their bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

China and Iran established diplomatic relations in 1971. Two-way trade turnover has increased from tens of millions of USD in the 1970s to nearly 52 billion USD in 2014. China has been Iran's largest trading partner for the past six consecutive years./.

According to Vietnam+