Tehran hosts conference on Iran-China economic co-op

Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki (C) and
China's Vice Minister of Commerce Chen Jian (R) attend a meeting on
bilateral trade cooperations in Tehran, Iran, on May 10, 2009. A
delegation of Chinese officials and entrepreneurs led by Chen arrived in
Tehran on Saturday. (Xinhua/Che Ling)
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TEHRAN, May 10 (Xinhua) -- A conference on
Iran-China economic cooperation opened on Sunday in Tehran with attendance of
hundreds of Iranian and Chinese officials and businessmen.

Addressing the conference, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki reviewed improvement of trade and
economic ties between the two countries in recent years and expressed hope to
deepen such ties.

Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki speaks
during a meeting on bilateral trade cooperations with China in Tehran,
Iran, on May 10, 2009. A delegation of Chinese officials and entrepreneurs
led by Vice Minister of Commerce Chen Jian arrived in Tehran on Saturday.
(Xinhua/Che Ling)
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"China is Iran's biggest trade partner in Asia and also the third biggest
one in the world," Mottaki said, adding that Tehran and Beijing should take
further steps to enhance the level of trade.

He said that facilitating further trade relations, removing present
obstacles on the way of Iran-China trade ties as well as removing customs
tariffs are among major steps that should be taken by the two sides to promote
economic and trade relations.

"As the biggest member of the
Asian family, China should play amore active role in regional organizations such as the Shanghai
Cooperation Organization," Mottaki added.

China's Vice Minister of Commerce Chen Jian speaks
during a meeting on bilateral trade cooperations with Iran in Tehran,
Iran, on May 10, 2009. A delegation of Chinese officials and entrepreneurs
led by Chen arrived in Tehran on Saturday. (Xinhua/Che Ling)
Photo Gallery

Meanwhile, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Commerce Chen Jian, head of the
Chinese delegation, said that China and Iran should enhance economic cooperation
in non-oil sectors and provide services for companies of both countries through
better interaction and communication.

About 500 Iranian and Chinese businessmen attended the one-day conference
which was aimed at addressing the international financial crisis and promoting
trade cooperation between Iran and China.

Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki (L) and
China's Vice Minister of Commerce Chen Jian attend a meeting on bilateral
trade cooperations in Tehran, Iran, on May 10, 2009. A delegation of
Chinese officials and entrepreneurs led by Chen arrived in Tehran on
Saturday. (Xinhua/Che Ling)
Photo Gallery