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Tuesday, February 19, 2019, 22:56
China expects Iran to play more constructive role in Mideast
By Xinhua
Tuesday, February 19, 2019, 22:56 By Xinhua

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, left, gestures as he speaks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi during their meeting at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, Feb 19, 2019. (HOW HWEE YOUNG/POOL PHOTO VIA AP)

BEIJING – China values Iran's role in regional affairs and expects Iran to play a more constructive role in such affairs, Chinese foreign minister said on Tuesday. 

State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi made the statement when he met with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. 

The Iranian side welcomes China's more important role in issues concerning the Middle East region such as Syria, Iraqi reconstruction and the peace process in Afghanistan. 

Mohammad Javad Zarif, Foreign Minister, Iran 

“The situation in the Middle East and the world is undergoing major changes, and relations between China and Iran are also facing a new situation.”

Pointing out that both China and Iran are countries with thousands of years of civilization and tradition, Wang said: “In the face of the periodical changes consisting of certain individual events, the two countries can maintain strategic strength, while safeguarding and promoting ties with a long-term perspective, in efforts to continuously inject new content into bilateral ties.”

READ MORE: China to back all efforts to safeguard Iran deal

The Iranian foreign minister said his country highly valued the partnership with China and regarded China as an important, all-round cooperation partner. 

Zarif, who is accompanying Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani on a visit to China, said he expected the speaker's ongoing China tour to promote bilateral ties to a new stage. 

Zarif expressed the active will to take part in the Belt and Road construction, saying the Initiative was of special significance to both Iran and China. 

ALSO READ: China to continue ensuring authority of Iran nuke deal

"The Iranian side welcomes China's more important role in issues concerning the Middle East region such as Syria, Iraqi reconstruction and the peace process in Afghanistan," he said. 

The two sides also exchanged views on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, an international agreement on Iran's nuclear program reached in 2015, stating that they would continue to strengthen communication and coordination and make active efforts to safeguard legitimate rights and interests, implement the agreement and defend multilateral rules.

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