ANKARA, (Reuters) – Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Tehran yesteday to discuss improvement of economic and political ties after lifting of international sanctions because of Iran’s disputed nuclear programme, state TV said.
Xi will meet top Iranian officials, including the country’s most powerful figure, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and President Hassan Rouhani.
He has also visited Saudi Arabia and Egypt during his Middle East tour, which started on January 19.
“A high-ranking political and economic delegation is accompanying the Chinese president during his one-day trip,” state television quoted deputy Foreign Minister Ebrahim Rahimpour as saying. “This is the first visit by a Chinese president in 14 years.”
“Total trade between Iran and China stood around $52 billion in 2014. But it dropped last year because of falling oil prices,” Rahimpour said.
“Some 16 accords including a strategic cooperation agreement will be signed during the Chinese President’s Iran visit.”
The Chinese president is the first leader to visit Iran after international sanctions were lifted on January 16 under a nuclear deal reached with six major powers including China.