A reception was held in Beijing Thursday to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Iran.
Chen Haosu, president of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries,said the friendship between China and Iran goes back to ancient times.
Since the forging of diplomatic ties between the two nations, and especially since the founding of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the friendly cooperation between China and Iran has continued to develop steadily, Chen noted, adding that along with the smooth development of state relations, the people-to-people friendly exchanges have also attained strong momentum.
Both China and Iran advocate a multipolar world and dedicate themselves to the establishment of a just and equitable new international political and economic order, Chen said, stressing that China attaches great importance to the significant role Iran has played in international affairs and highly appreciates President Khatami's advocacy of cooperation between different civilizations.
The strengthening of the friendly cooperative relations between China and Iran is not only in the fundamental interests of the two countries, but is also conducive to the maintenance of regional peace and stability,Chen added.
Iranian Ambassador to China Mohammad Hossein Malaek said since the two nations established diplomatic ties, their relations have become closer and closer in the past 30 years, adding that in recent years this relationship has undergone continuous consolidation and development, and contacts and cooperation in culture, sports, science and education have also helped to boost bilateral relations.
Present at the reception were Wan Guoquan, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and Yang Wenchang, vice-foreign minister.
(Xinhua News Agency 08/16/2001)
