Chinese Vice-President Hu Jintao met with his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Hashemi who is in Beijing to attend the tenth session of the China-Iran Joint Committee on Economic, Trade, Scientific and Technological Cooperation.

Hu said that China and Iran have long and great civilizations and have maintained a steady development in bilateral relations.

China attaches great importance to Iran's status and role in regional and international affairs, and would like to continue friendly relations with Iran on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, said Hu.

Hu also added the he hopes that both China and Iran will continue bilateral exchanges that will promote mutual understanding, cooperation and long-term stability between the two countries. Hashemi said that Iran appreciates China's important role in promoting peace and development in the Middle East. The meeting will greatly encourage bilateral trade and economic cooperation.

Hashemi added that Iran hopes to strengthen its cooperation with China in trade, science and technology and further develop and promote bilateral relations.