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Spotlight: Xi's visit opens new chapter for bilateral ties -- Iranian officials, experts

Xinhua, January 29, 2016 Adjust font size:

Chinese President Xi Jinping's historic trip to Iran, the first by a Chinese head of state to the Islamic Republic in 14 years, concluded with 17 documents and letters of intent aimed to broaden cooperation.

"In cooperation with the Iranian side and by benefiting from the current favorable conditions, China is ready to upgrade the level of bilateral relations and cooperation so that a new chapter will start in bilateral relations," Xi said after meeting Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.

Xi's wish was echoed by Rouhani, who said in a televised speech that "with the Chinese president's visit to Tehran and our agreements, a new chapter has begun in Tehran-Beijing relations."

Xi's fruitful visit to Iran is bound to elevate bilateral relations after the lifting of international sanctions under a historic nuclear deal, in which China played a constructive role.

"China has always stood by the side of the Iranian nation during hard days," said Rouhani in comments posted on his official website.

Xi said that China stands ready to work with Iran to lift mutually beneficial cooperation in politics, economy and trade, energy, infrastructure, security, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

On Saturday, China and Iran agreed to elevate their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership to boost cooperation on all fronts and carry forward their millennia-old friendship.

Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that Tehran is willing to push bilateral practical cooperation to a new high. Iran is an important country along the Belt and Road and stands ready to play a greater role in jointly pursuing the initiative with China, the supreme leader said.

HUGE TRADE POTENTIAL

China has been Iran's biggest trading partner for six years in a row, with the total volume hitting some 52 billion U.S. dollars in 2014.

Besides, China is also the top customer for Iran's oil exports. The growth potential, according to Ministry of Commerce spokesperson Shen Danyang, remains to be exploited.

Though oil, gas and petrochemical industries are the first that come to mind for investment and economic cooperation between China and Iran, China is now fully prepared to expand trade beyond that, said Majidreza Hariri, vice president of the Iran-China Chamber of Commerce and Industries.

During Xi's visit, a slew of cooperation deals covering such sectors as energy, communications, environment, culture, aerospace, and science and technology were signed.

"With the construction and development of infrastructure, ... the two nations have paved the way for greater links along the Silk Road Economic Belt," said Sadegh Akbari, general director of the Organization for Investment Economic and Technical Assistance of Iran.

China promised to encourage its companies to import more non-petroleum products from Middle East nations, a move welcomed by Iran.

Hariri said Chinese companies are welcome to participate in the development of Iran's infrastructure.

BRIGHT FUTURE FOR PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE EXCHANGES

Xi's visit has drawn wide applause in Iran, as the country is wooing investment and international tourists in its post-sanction era.

According to Iran's Financial Tribune newspaper, Chinese tourists currently make up barely 1 percent of the country's 5 million inbound tourists a year, and Iran wants more.

Iran has already simplified the visa process for Chinese nationals and is taking further moves to lure Chinese tourists, the newspaper said Saturday.

"We are opening more Chinese restaurants and training travel guides to speak Chinese," it quoted Masoud Soltanifar, the head of the Iran Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization, as saying.

Besides, both sides also pin high hopes on exchanges between the two legislatures, which have played an important role in advancing China-Iran relations.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani said that Iran highly values the Belt and Road Initiative and would like to play an active role in relevant cooperation, adding that Iran would like to communicate and coordinate closely with China in regional and international affairs while beefing up security cooperation. Endi