Iran president calls for stronger ties with China

TEHRAN - Iran wants to further advance its relations with China, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said.

Steady development of bilateral ties is not only beneficial to Iran and China, but also to peace and prosperity of the world, Rouhani said in a meeting on Sunday with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

Iran will actively take part in China's Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road initiatives and expand cooperation in sectors such as infrastructure, energy, manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism, Rouhani said.

Rouhani described China's role in the nuclear talks as just and positive, saying Iran wants to work closer with China to push toward an outcome satisfying to all.

Wang, for his part, said previous meetings between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Rouhani have set the direction for bilateral ties and that China wishes to jointly develop the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road with Iran, expanding cooperation in industry and manufacturing on the basis of existing cooperation in the energy sector.

Wang also called on Iran and the P5+1 group (the United States, Britain, France, Russia, China and Germany) to seize the opportunity and overcome obstacles to reach a successful comprehensive deal on the nuclear issue as soon as possible.