Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan and his Iranian counterpart Kamal Kharrazi on Sunday called on China and Iran, the two important developing countries in Asia, to enhance cooperation in the new century.

In their first round of talks, Tang and Kharrazi exchanged views on ways of promoting bilateral cooperation in political, economic, trade and cultural fields.

Kharrazi said that with historical friendship, Iran and China have made great contribution to the human civilization, and today the two countries should further promote their cooperation.

He underlined that no country should impose its own culture and civilization on others, and a better world can only be achieved through exchanges and dialogue among different civilizations.

With such a motive, Iranian President Mohammad Khatami advocates dialogue among civilizations and the international community has positively responded to this initiative, he said.

Tang thanked Kharrazi's invitation extended to him and said that his visit to Tehran was aimed at promoting understanding and friendship between China and Iran and expanding bilateral cooperation in various fields.

He said that the two great civilizations of China and Iran had been linked through the "Silk Road" in ancient times.

Voicing Beijing's support for dialog among civilizations proposed by President Khatami, Tang noted that the human civilization would advance only when all world countries expand their cooperation on the basis of mutual respect and equality and promote mutual trust through improved understanding.

The Chinese foreign minister said that China is ready to make efforts in boosting cooperation with Iran in the new century and maintaining durable stability in the two countries.

Tang arrived on Sunday morning for a four-day official visit. Iran is the last leg of Tang's four-nation tour, which has taken him to Mauritania, Tunisia and Kuwait.