On the afternoon of February 14, 2023, President Xi Jinping held talks at the Great Hall of the People with Iranian President Rehi who was on a state visit to China.

Xi Jinping emphasized that China supports Iran in safeguarding national sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, and national dignity, supports Iran in resisting unilateralism and bullying, opposes external forces interfering in Iran's internal affairs and undermining Iran's security and stability, and is willing to continue to work together on issues involving each other's core interests. Iran firmly supports each other. China is willing to work with Iran to implement the comprehensive cooperation plan between the two countries, deepen practical cooperation in trade, agriculture, industry, infrastructure and other fields, and import more high-quality Iranian agricultural products. China is willing to continue to cooperate with Iran in jointly building the Belt and Road, to promote connectivity and expand people-to-people and cultural exchanges.

China is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with Iran on multilateral platforms such as the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, practice true multilateralism, and safeguard the common interests of developing countries. China will continue to constructively participate in the negotiations on the resumption of the implementation of the comprehensive agreement on the Iranian nuclear issue, support Iran in safeguarding its legitimate rights and interests, and promote the early and proper resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue.

Leahy said that the friendship between Iran and China has withstood the test and has become stronger as time goes by. As two independent major countries, the relationship between Iran and China is based on the spirit of mutual respect, and they are sincere strategic partners worthy of mutual trust. Iran's determination to deepen and enhance the Iran-China comprehensive strategic partnership is unswerving and will not be affected by any changes in the international and regional situation. The Iranian side hopes to strengthen exchanges at all levels with the Chinese side, implement the Iran-China comprehensive cooperation plan, and deepen practical cooperation in trade, infrastructure and other fields. It welcomes Chinese companies to invest in Iraq and looks forward to more Chinese tourists visiting Iraq. The Iranian side thanks China for providing valuable assistance to Iran in fighting the new crown epidemic, and thanks China for upholding justice on issues such as the negotiation of the comprehensive agreement on the Iranian nuclear issue. Iran firmly supports China's Belt and Road Initiative, Global Development Initiative and Global Security Initiative and will actively participate in it. Iran is willing to strengthen communication with China on international and regional affairs, maintain good cooperation on multilateral occasions such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and jointly safeguard international fairness and justice, as well as regional and world peace and security.

The two heads of state also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern.

After the talks, the two heads of state jointly witnessed the signing of a number of bilateral cooperation documents in the fields of agriculture, trade, tourism, environmental protection, health, disaster relief, culture, and sports.

During Leahy's visit to China, the two sides will issue the "Joint Statement between the People's Republic of China and the Islamic Republic of Iran."Editor/Ma Xue