Iran, China share interests in quest for world peace: Chinese official

The chairman of the Standing Committee of the Chinese National People’s Congress says Tehran and Beijing enjoy “extensive” common interests in safeguarding regional and global peace and stability.

“As two developing and influential countries, Iran and China have extensive common interests in defending international and regional peace and promoting joint development,” Wu Bangguo said on Sunday upon his arrival in Tehran.

Wu is on a three-day official visit to Iran upon the invitation of Iran’s Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani.

The Chinese official expressed his country’s willingness to further the “friendly ties” with the Islamic Republic.

Since establishing diplomatic relations in 1971, the ties between Iran and China have “always been growing and positive,” leading to “genuine benefits” for both nations, Wu said.

Iran is currently China’s third largest supplier of crude, providing Beijing with roughly 12 percent of its total annual oil consumption – nearly one million barrels per day.

The current bilateral trade between the two countries is dominated by Iran’s energy exports, while the main Chinese exports to Iran include machinery and textiles among other consumer goods.