Iran parliament to promote ties with China: speaker

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (L) shakes hands with Iranian Parliament speaker Ali Larijani in Tehran, capital of Iran, on Feb. 16, 2015. (Xinhua/Ahmad Halabisaz)

Iranian parliament will play its role in promoting bilateral ties with China, Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani said Monday.

Cementing ties with China has become a consensus among Iranians, to which the Iranian parliament will make due contribution, Larijani said in a meeting with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

China has become increasingly more influential on world affairs and plays a positive role in the efforts to settle the Iranian nuclear issue, Larijani added.

Wang, for his part, thanked Larijani for his long-standing efforts to promote China-Iran relations. He said China attaches great importance to relations with Iran and wishes to further enhance bilateral parliamentary exchanges.

China wants to enhance mutual trust with Iran and expand cooperation in sectors such as infrastructure, energy and industry, Wang added.

China will continue to contribute to the proper settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue while insisting on solving it through peaceful negotiations, Wang said.