Chinese President Jiang Zemin Thursday flew in the ancient city of Shiraz from Tunis, kicking off his state visit to Iran, as guest of Iranian President Mohammad Khatami.
In a written statement issued upon arrival, Jiang said his visit is to increase mutual understanding and trust, deepen friendship and expand cooperation.
Visit to play positive role in enhancing bilateral relations
He is convinced the visit will play a positive role in promoting the overall growth of the China-Iran friendly relations of cooperation in the new century. He added bilateral friendly relationship can be traced back 2,000 years ago or ever longer.
The two countries have enjoyed a continuous friendly ties of cooperation in the political and economic sectors, with which China is satisfied, Jiang said.
He noted that through joint efforts, bilateral friendly cooperation is sure to score greater promotion.
Also arriving aboard the special plane were Jiang's wife Wang Yeping and Vice-Premier Qian Qichen.
Jiang and his entourage were warmly received at the airport by Amin Zadeh, Iranian deputy foreign minister, and Mohammad Ebrahim Ansari Lari, governor-general of Fars.
Jiang will leave here for Tehran Friday to continue his state visit. During his stay in Tehran, Jiang will exchange views with Khatami and other Iranian leaders on further strengthening bilateral friendly ties of cooperation, and on international and regional issues of common concern.
Iran is the last leg of Jiang's two-week five-nation trip, which will finally take him home on April 22. Jiang had just ended his state visit to Germany, Libya, Nigeria and Tunisia.
Iran highlights Chinese President's visit
Iran on April 16 highlighted the significance of the upcoming visit by Chinese President Jiang Zemin to the Islamic Republic, saying that the visit scheduled to begin on Thursday would lay ground to boost constructive cooperation between the two countries.
Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi told the official IRNA news agency that Tehran and Beijing could diversify relations in all fields relying on their historical antiquity and the two countries could further develop ties given their significant standing in the world.
President Jiang Zemin's visit to the Islamic Republic would also be an opportunity to exchange views on regional developments, including the Palestine-Israel issue and the reconstruction of war-shattered Afghanistan, Asefi said.
( April 19, 2002)
