The Teheran Metro, jointly constructed by China CITIC and China Import & Export Technology Company, has been opened to traffic on February 22. For high technical standards followed, beautiful construction, superior performance and great comfort provided by its vehicles, the metro has won high praises from the Iranian government and Teheran people.

At the opening-to-traffic ceremony, Iranian President Khatemi gave high accolades to the Chinese government for its aid to Iran and Chinese technicians and workers for their outstanding contribution in helping construction of Teheran's metro.

Teheran is the largest city in the west of Asia. The city had early planned to build a subway more than 20 years ago. In 1995, China and Iran signed an agreement for contracting construction of Teheran subway with a total investment of US$583 million.

Changchun Vehicle Company was in charge of manufacturing 217 subway vehicles. Acting on high technical, quality standard demands and the time of delivery set by the contract, it began its delivery of metro vehicles since 1998. So far, it has delivered most of the vehicles in bulk to its Iranian users for assembly in Tehran.

Iranian officials and Tehran people are well pleased with the metro their Chinese builders constructed. They said that it is their Chinese counterparts who have helped materialize their dream.

The subway extends over a distance of 10 kilometers, with nine stations built. Known as Teheran No.2 route, being the first metro of its kind in Middle East, it has aroused people's attention in many Middle East countries and the Gulf region. By its completion and construction and trial running the metro has attracted a lot of officials from many of these countries coming on a visit to take a personal look at the metro built in Tehran.