Iran ready to further ties with friend, strategic partner China

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says Tehran is ready to develop ties in all fields with its friend and strategic partner China.

Zarif made the comment after arriving in Chinese capital Beijing early on Tuesday at the head of a high-ranking political and economic committee.

While stressing that the time is right for developing relations between Iran and China, Zarif noted that during his visit he is scheduled to meet with high-ranking Chinese officials to discuss further progression of ties.

“During this trip, important and serious talks will be held over various subjects with Chinese officials, especially over the economic issues,” he said.  

He noted that furthering relations between the two countries was among the subjects highlighted in talks held between Iran's President Hassan Rouhani and Chinese President Xi Jinping during his trip to Tehran earlier in the year.

Zarif arrived in China after a two-day visit to India which he hailed as successful, and is set to meet with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi and Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli later in the day.

On Tuesday, Zarif will leave China for Japan, where he is scheduled to sit down with senior Japanese officials, including Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida, and attend joint economic seminars.

The delegation accompanying the Iranian foreign minister include heads of 38 companies affiliated with the Iran Chamber of Commerce, representatives from 15 knowledge-based companies, and eight commercial banks as well as a number of officials in the industrial, trade and scientific sectors.

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