China pushes for all-round cooperation with Iran: vice premier

Visiting Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong said here Saturday that China is willing to strengthen all-round cooperation with Iran and achieve tangible results in various sectors.

The vice premier made the remarks during a meeting with Iranian Vice President Sorena Sattari in Iran's capital Tehran.

Liu said that the relations between China and Iran, which provide mutual support at crucial moments and on major issues, have maintained steady momentum of development.

In January 2016, Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a state visit to Iran and formulated a strategic plan with Iranian leaders on China-Iran relations, she said.

"Over the past year, the two sides have achieved significant progress in their cooperation in politics, trade, energy, agriculture and culture," Liu said.

Under the frame of the Belt and Road initiative, which will benefit the region and beyond, China will further promote the comprehensive strategic partnership with Iran, strenghthen cooperation in the traditional sectors such as energy, tap the potential of cooperation in emerging sectors of capacity, connectivity and industrial parks, and expand cooperation in science and technology, education, culture, medicine and health, Liu added.

The Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Initiative, known as the Belt and Road Initiative, was proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013 with the aim of building a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along ancient trade routes.

For his part, Sattari said the relations between Iran and China have made considerable progress in recent years.

Iran always places its relations with China as a high priority of its foreign policy, the vice president said, adding that Xi's historic visit to Iran in 2016 helped boost significant progress in bilateral relations.

Sattari expressed the hope that the two countries could further promote the Belt and Road initiative and strengthen cooperation in various fields.

After the meeting, Liu and Sattari witnessed the signing of a series of cooperation documents in the fields of science and technology, culture and art. Endit