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Iranian, Chinese FMs stress promotion of Tehran-Beijing ties

IRNA

2003/08/26

Beijing, Aug 26, IRNA -- Iran and China discussed here Tuesday 
bilateral relations and other issues of mutual interests as well as 
key regional and international developments. 
Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi, in a meeting with his Chinese 
counterpart Li Zhaoxing, termed growing ties between Tehran and 
Beijing as "positive" and called for exchange of visits between the 
two countries` senior officials to bolster political, economic and 
cultural relations. 
Pointing to the status of Iran and China, Kharrazi stressed 
bilateral cooperation to strengthen peace and security as well as 
exchange of views within international fora. 
He expressed satisfaction with China`s support for import of 
Iranian non-oil goods and said the regulations of preferential tariff 
would increase the value of Iran`s exports to Beijing. 
Kharrazi referring to the two countries` culture and civilization 
stressed the importance of media, parliamentary and cultural 
cooperation and dialogue among civilizations. 
He briefed his Chinese counterpart on Iran`s stance towards 
international issues and said, "Establishment of peace and security is
among top priorities of Iran`s foreign policy and due to such a policy
Iran`s nuclear activities are very transparent and peaceful." 
"We expect other countries to pay heed to Iran`s concerns, views 
and legal rights for peaceful use of nuclear technology," the Iranian 
foreign minister said. "Iran wants the Middle East to be free from 
nuclear weapons." 
Pointing to the threats and aggression of the Zionist regime 
against the Palestinian people, he said, " Unfortunately, the 
international community has not paid due attention to this catastrophe
and the Zionist regime does not believe in peace and violates the 
international regulations everyday." 
He said respect for the Palestinians` rights is the only way to 
attain sustainable peace. 
Touching upon ongoing situation in Afghanistan and Iran`s 
assistance to that country, Kharrazi urged the international community
not to forget this country and added that campaign against drug 
trafficking and terrorism will be materialized only through 
development of Afghanistan`s economy and establishment of security. 
Kharrazi rejected unilateralism and said all regional states are 
satisfied with the downfall of Saddam Hussein but no country accepts 
the occupation of Iraq by foreign powers. 
He urged the United Nations to play an active role in Iraq so 
that a broad-base government would be established in that country 
under the supervision of the UN. 
The Iranian minister reiterated that Iran always plays a role in 
establishing peace, tranquility and security in Iraq. 
Li, for his part, said that civilization, culture and traditional 
deep-rooted friendship between the two nations have served to expand 
cooperation between the two countries. 
He added that China approves of regional and international 
policies adopted by Iran and voiced his country`s serious 
determination to bolster ties with the Islamic Republic of Iran. 
"Iran`s role in the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan and Iraq is in 
line with peace and security and we should cooperate with each other 
in various regional and international fields," the Chinese minister 
said. 
"Iran is among important partners of China in the region," he 
said, adding "Despite extensive economic cooperation, the two 
countries have still potentials to use current capabilities in oil, 
gas and transportation." 
He said China attaches importance to economic, tourism and 
cultural ties with Iran and respects its 5000-year history. 
Li urged Iran and China to support each other to safeguard 
the interests of developing countries. 
He expressed appreciation for Iran`s transparent nuclear 
programs and called for continuation of Tehran`s cooperation with 
the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). 
Pointing to common interests and stance between Tehran and 
Beijing, the Chinese minister called for close cooperation in 
regional developments, particularly the Iraqi and Palestinian issues. 
Kharrazi, heading a high-ranking politico-economic delegation, 
arrived here from New Delhi on Monday on the second leg of a 
three-nation tour which will also take him to Japan. 
The Iranian foreign minister left Tehran for New Delhi Sunday and 
will proceed to Tokyo from Beijing on Wednesday. 
The Iranian foreign minister is accompanied by a ranking economic 
delegation comprising presidential advisor and head of Iran`s High 
Council of Free Trade Zones Hossein Nassiri, the deputy head of 
the Management and Planning Organization (MPO) and the president of 
Iran`s Subway Company. 
SF/212 
End