国内英语新闻:Senior CPC official visits Iran, stresses bilateral cooperation

TEHRAN, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Senior Communist Party of China ( CPC) official Li Changchun visited Iran from Tuesday to Wednesday, met with Iranian leaders and stressed bilateral cooperation.

Li, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau, conveyed sincere greetings and best wishes to Iranian people in a written speech issued upon his arrival at the airport early Tuesday morning.

Iran is an ancient civilized country with a long history which has created the splendid Persian civilization and made important contribution to the development and progress of human civilization, he said.

Exchanges between China and Iran began more than 2,000 years ago, and the ancient Silk Road witnessed the continuation and development of the friendship between the two countries, Li added.

"China values the traditional friendship between the two sides, and during my stay here I will meet and hold talks with Iranian leaders, exchange our ideas on boosting the bilateral relations, discuss new ways to promote political mutual trust and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and promote bilateral exchanges and cooperation in political, economic and cultural aspects to gain new achievements," he said at the airport.

Li met here Tuesday morning with the Iranian president and vice president to discuss bilateral relations.

When meeting with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, he thanked the Iranian leader for offering condolences to China when the country was hit by severe natural disasters, including the earthquake in Yushu, Qinghai province, and the mudslides in Zhouqu, Gansu province, and his attendance at the Shanghai Expo to celebrate Iran's National Pavilion Day.

With joint efforts by the two countries in recent years, bilateral relations have maintained a good momentum, political mutual trust has been enhanced and bilateral trade cooperation has been widened, exchanges in culture, education and tourism have been expanded, and traditional friendship between the two peoples has been deepened.

The two countries are faced with challenges as well as development opportunities regarding regional and world stability, tackling the impacts of the international financial crisis and boosting economic development, he noted.

The CPC official said China is willing to cooperate with Iran to seize the opportunities to consolidate and develop bilateral relations in various areas.

Li put forward a four-point proposal to develop bilateral relations, including maintaining high-level contacts and deepening political mutual trust, boosting pragmatic cooperation, strengthening cultural exchanges, and maintaining coordination in international affairs.

Li and Ahmadinejad exchanged their views on international and regional issues of common concern.

Li reiterated China's stance to solve the Iranian nuclear issue through negotiations. "China is willing to continue playing a constructive role in this regard," he said.

Ahmadinejad asked Li to convey his greetings to Chinese President Hu Jintao and said he agreed with Li's proposal on further boosting bilateral relations.

The Iranian president pointed out that Iran and China share similar views on the current world situation and global issues, and they face similar challenges and opportunities.

"Development of friendly relations between the two countries is in the interest of the two peoples and regional peace," he said. "Iran will continue implementing friendly policies toward China, boost pragmatic cooperation in different fields and realize the common development of the two sides."

While expressing appreciation for China's long-standing efforts to help solve the Iranian nuclear issue, he said Iran is committed to solving the issue through negotiations.