Iran, China Urge Closer Cooperation in Science, Technology


TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Vice-President for Science and Technology Affairs Sorena Sattari and President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Bai Chunli in a meeting explored avenues for promotion of cooperation between the two countries in the area of science and technology.

In the Sunday meeting in Tehran, Sattari described the relations between Iran and China as "strategic" and said that besides bilateral trade ties, Tehran attaches great importance to the scientific relations with Beijing.

Noting that there are more than 30 science and technology parks in Iran, he said the Islamic Republic is ready to host Chinese scientific companies as part of efforts to boost mutual cooperation in this field.

Satori further stressed the need to form a working group to facilitate scientific cooperation between the two countries.

Bai, for his part, said Iran has made great progress in the area of science and technology compared to the time of his previous visit to Iran 15 year ago.

"We are very keen to expand scientific and technological interactions with Iran," he stated.

Relations between Iran and China in various fields have been growing over the past years.

In late April, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani met with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to discuss further expansion of ties between the two countries.

Following the meeting, he said economic cooperation between Tehran and Beijing will experience an upward trend in the current Iranian year, which started on March 21.

"Talks with the Chinese president covered broader issues, including the nuclear negotiations (between Iran and world powers), economic projects, the enhancement of Tehran-Beijing economic relations, and the regional issues," Rouhani said at the time.