Chinese Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan and Iranian Vice President Mohammad Setarifar in Beijing Thursday co-chaired the 12th meeting of the China-Iran Commission for Economic, Trade, Scientific and Technological Cooperation.  

Zeng and Setarifar exchanged views on furthering the two countries' trade, economic, scientific and technological relations.

Zeng said both as developing countries, China and Iran are complementary in economy and harbor great potential for cooperation. Enhancing their cooperation in trade, economy, science and technology and promoting common development are of great significance to them.

Recent years have witnessed bilateral trade developing rapidly and the subway project contracted by China in Iran is going smoothly, Zeng said, adding that China's products and equipment are also fairly competitive in quality, technology and price.

He pledged China's willingness to work with Iran to explore cooperation in oil and gas, transport, electricity, communication, nonferrous metal, and project construction, etc., saying so long as the two sides follow the principles of mutual trust and sincerity, their cooperation will record new progress.

Setarifar expressed admiration for China's achievements since adopting the reform and opening-up policy. He said under efforts of leaders of both sides, the China-Iran friendly ties have been constantly reinforced. Bilateral cooperation has made progress in recent years, and there is still much potential for further development.

He expressed belief that the meeting will further boost the two nations' trade, economic, scientific and technological ties, and enterprises will have more cooperation opportunities.

After their meeting, Zeng and Setarifar singed a summary for the meeting on behalf of their governments.

(Xinhua News Agency April 9, 2004)