BEIJING, May 7 -- Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi Wednesday met with Iranian Defense Minister Hossein Dehqan on deepening bilateral cooperation.

Highlighting the sound development of bilateral ties in recent years, Yang said the meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Iranian President Hassan Rowhani in Bischkek, Kyrgyzstan last September showed the right direction for the future development.

China is willing to work with Iran to grasp the good opportunities at the current stage to promote the relationship between China and Iran to a new level, Yang said.

He reiterated China's position on the Iranian nuclear issue, stressing that China will continue to make unremitting efforts for the comprehensive, appropriate solution of the nuclear issue.

Dehqan said the Iranian side would like to further enhance and expand the cooperation between the two nations and the two armed forces in various fields so as to contribute to regional peace and stability.

Dehqan arrived in Beijing on Sunday at the invitation of Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan, starting his first official visit to China since he took office last August.

During his four-day stay here, he also held talks with his Chinese counterpart Chang Wanquan and met with Vice Chairman of China's Central Military Commission Fan Changlong.