China's openness to
Iran, though, is not new. After all, it's been Iran's biggest trading partner
for the past six years, Beijing's state-run Xinhua news agency reported. In recent decades, Iran has been at odds with
many leading countries around the world - including the United States due to its nuclear program.
"China stands
ready to work with Iran to seize the momentum and further elevate our
relationship and practical cooperation, so as to usher in a new chapter for our
ties featuring comprehensive, long-term and stable development," Xi said,
according to Xinhua.
Chinese President Xi
Jinping capped a three-nation tour of the Mideast by blessing wide agreements
with Iran on regional politics, nuclear energy, trade and military
communication, officials said Saturday.
Iran was the final
stop of Xi's itinerary that earlier included Egypt and Saudi Arabia. He arrived
in Iran on Friday to cement better relations, the first Chinese President to
visit that country in 14 years.
The two nations
agreed to a "comprehensive strategic partnership" that commits them
to military-to-military communication; enhances consultations over Syria,
Yemen, and elimination of weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East; and
reiterates non-interference in handling international affairs, according to the
two countries' foreign ministries.
The two countries
also inked a treaty regarding mutual legal cooperation on criminal, civil and
trade issues, agreements dealt with providing goods for confronting weather
change; cementing industrial, mining, investment, communication and information
technology cooperation; and providing funds for a Tehran-Mashhad express
railway Other signed officials said.
