Iran, China urge expansion of all-out ties

TEHRAN, Dec. 29 (MNA) – Iranian FM Mohammad Javad Zarif said the Islamic Republic is ready to expand cooperation with China in all areas. He made the remarks at a Sunday meeting with Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Zhang Ming in Tehran. Zarif highlighted the extensive relations between Iran and China, noting that “during the meeting between the presidents of both countries in Shanghai, conditions were provided for all the more development of ties, necessitating the related sectors to act accordingly to implement the agreements.” “Iran is ready to cooperate with China in developing all-out relations,” said Zarif, stressing the importance of the strategic relations between the two countries. He also expressed gratitude for Beijing's positive role in the nuclear talks between Iran and the Sextet. Zarif considered the absence of political issues in bilateral ties, as well as sharing the same concerns over terrorism and extremism as two prominent characteristics in Iran and China’s relations, maintaining that the two countries are seeking to ‘cooperate closely’ with one another to prevent terrorist attacks. Zhang Ming, for his part, expressed satisfaction over the growing strategic relations with Iran, maintaining that the number of visits of senior officials from both countries had been ‘unprecedented’ during the past year, and announced the upcoming visits of Chinese officials to Iran in the next few months. He pointed to the significance of reviving the Silk Road and expressed pleasure that the suggested proposals for the revival have been welcomed by the Islamic Republic of Iran. “We must stop the terrorists’ advances in Iraq and Syria; otherwise they would start targeting other countries,” said Zhang Ming while commending Iran for its constructive part in countering terrorism. In regard to Iran’s nuclear issue, the Chinese deputy FM stressed that China was looking forward to a positive outcome as soon as possible, welcoming a comprehensive nuclear agreement that would 'ease the concerns on both sides.' Moreover, he deemed Iran and China’s economies ‘complimentary’, stressing that China holds expansion of economic ties with Iran in ‘high regard.’