Chinese Vice President Hu Jintao arrived in Tehran Friday for a five-day official visit to Iran, during which he is expected to exchange views with Iranian leaders on bilateral, regional and international issues.
In a written statement distributed on his arrival at Tehran Airport, Hu expressed the hope that "this visit will help to deepen the mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples and strengthen the friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries in all fields."
Recalling the friendship between the Chinese and Iranian peoples, he said "as early as over 2,000 years ago, our ancestors began their friendly exchanges through the world-renowned Silk Road."
"Since the victory of the Islamic revolution in Iran (in 1979), considerable progress has been made in the friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries in the political, economic and other areas," he said.
He expressed satisfaction with the development of the China-Iran relations, adding the Chinese side stands ready to work with the Iranian side to further promote the friendly relations and cooperation to the benefit of the two peoples.
During the visit, Hu is to hold talks with Iranian President Mohammad Khatami, First Vice President Hassan Habibi, Vice President Mohammad Hashemi and other senior officials.
Accompanying Hu during the visit are Vice Foreign Minister Ji Peiding, Vice Minister in charge of State Development Planning Commission Wang Yang, Vice Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Sun Guangxiang and other senior officials.
Iran is the first stop of Hu's visit to five Asian and African countries, which also include Syria, Jordan, Cyprus and Uganda.
(Xinhua 01/06/2001)
