“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 with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, according to Iranian state TV.
Advertisement
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Ebrahim Rahimpour has told state television that 16 accords including a strategic cooperation agreement are to be signed during Xi’s visit. “Iran and China have agreed to increase trade to $600 billion in the next 10 years”, Reuters cited President Rouhani as saying during a televised news conference.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, after Xi’s arrival in Tehran.
The two leaders oversaw the signing of 17 agreements in areas including politics, the economy, security and cooperation on peaceful nuclear energy.
“This is the first visit by a Chinese president in 14 years”, Rahimpour said.
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) – Chinese President Xi Jinping, visiting Iran just days after the lifting of global sanctions under a historic nuclear deal, says he hopes for a “new chapter” in relations. However, that figure dropped in 2015 due to decreasing global oil prices. Riyadh severed ties with Tehran after Iranian protesters stormed the kingdom’s embassy in Tehran and its consulate in Mashhad.
The Chinese president is set to meet with Iran’s spiritual leader, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, later on Saturday.
Advertisement
In Cairo, Xi offered $55 billion in loans and investments to the Middle East, a region where China wants to strengthen its economic presence.
