Vice Premier Li Keqiang met with Iranian Vice President Mohammad Javad Mohammadizadeh in the scenic town of Boao in south China's Hainan province on Sunday morning.

Mohammadizadeh is in China to attend the annual session of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA), a non-governmental and non-profit international organization established in 2001. The session will be held from April 1 to 3 in Boao.

Li spoke highly of the development of China-Iran ties, saying the two sides have witnessed high-level exchanges, expanding substantial cooperation, closer cultural exchanges and good communication in international affairs.

China has always attached great importance to its relations with Iran and will join hands with the Iranian side to strengthen political, economic and cultural cooperation and maintain developmental momentum for the purpose of benefiting both nations and promoting regional and global stability, Li said.

Mohammadizadeh echoed Li, saying Iran is ready to maintain high-level exchanges with China and deepen bilateral cooperation in trade, culture and international affairs.

During a subsequent meeting with Thai Deputy Prime Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong, Li said China highly values its friendship with Thailand and is willing to further bilateral cooperation in multiple areas.

Sino-Thai relations have maintained stable development and born fruitful results in all areas, Li said.

The vice premier pledged that China will maintain high-level exchanges with Thailand, strengthen strategic planning and enhance reciprocal cooperation in trade, finance, infrastructure construction, new energy and disaster prevention and relief.

He added that China is ready to maintain close communication with Thailand, promote the progress of the China-ASEAN partnership, jointly safeguard stability in east Asia and promote the region's economic development.

Kittiratt praised the development of Sino-Thai relations. He said Thailand will continue to enhance high-level communication with China and expand bilateral trade and cooperation, especially in areas concerning agriculture, construction and transportation.

Li is scheduled to meet with Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti, Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Karim Masimov on Sunday afternoon.

An opening ceremony for the BFA's annual session will be held on April 2. Li will deliver a keynote speech at the ceremony.