Iran Calls for Further Expansion of Trade Ties with China

"Promotion of commercial and economic cooperation with China is among main pivots of Iran's policy; so efforts need to be made for lifting impediments hindering expansion of economic and trade relations between Tehran and Beijing," Jahangiri said in a meeting with officials from ministries of foreign affairs and economy.

He underlined that China is Iran's major trade partner, and said, "Clear direction and definite framework need to be drawn for the expansion of commercial and economic ties with China."

In relevant remarks earlier this month, Chairman of the Iranian parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Alaeddin Boroujerdi underlined that China has voiced willingness to invest in the lucrative projects of Iran's infrastructural sector.

"The Chinese have repeatedly stressed their support for the (2015) nuclear deal (between Tehran and the world powers) and opposition to the US approach towards it," Boroujerdi said after heading a three-day visit by an Iranian parliamentary delegation to China.

"During meetings with the Chinese officials, we talked about the infrastructural railway projects which are a priority in transportation between cities and the Chinese declared their willingness for investment," he added.

Boroujerdi said that Beijing is ready to implement important projects in Iran, including Tehran-Mashhad and Tehran-Tabriz railway for high-speed trains.

His remarks came as reports said in January that the trade exchanges between Iran and China increased 20.5% in the first 11 months of 2017, showing a positive trend for both countries.

In relevant remarks in early December 2017, Jahangiri underlined that enhanced interaction between Iran and member-states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) can play a leading role in strengthening regional and international peace and stability.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to improve its cooperation with member-states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) to play a more active role in promoting regional and international peace, stability, security and development," Jahangiri said in an address to a SCO meeting in the Russian city of Sochi.

The Iranian first vice president also voiced the Islamic Republic's readiness to help promote the SCO status in line with the country's goal to establish a world free from violence and extremism and also make more serious efforts to help the organization thwart new threats and challenges in political, economic and cultural sectors.