On the afternoon of January 5, 2007, Chinese President Hu Jintao met with Special Envoy of Iranian Supreme Leader and President & Iran's Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani at the Great Hall of the People.

Hu said since the establishment of diplomatic ties 35 years ago bilateal ties have been developing smoothly with the increasing high-level exchanges and expanding economic and trade cooperation between the two countries. Both sides have maintained close communication and consultations in international and regional affairs. Hu said it is the Chinese government's set policy to develop the China-Iran ties of long-term stability, mutually beneficial cooperation and common development based on the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. Hu pledge that China will make joint efforts with Iran to enrich bilateral ties and enhance the level of mutually beneficial cooperation in a bid to bring benefits to the two countries and their people and strive for lasting peace and common prosperity in the region and the world at large.

Larijani thanked President Hu for meeting with him. He said that the two countries share a time-honored history of friendly exchanges and bilateral relations have made continuous progress since the establishment of diplomatic ties. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad attended the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in China last June, during which the two heads of state held sound talks, Larijani noted. Iran highly values its ties with China and is committed to expanding bilateral cooperation in the political, economic, trade, and culture fields, he said.

Larijani briefed Hu on Iran's position and views on the Iranian nuclear issue. Hu said China always holds a consistent position on the Iranian nuclear issue and supports the maintenance of the international non-proliferation system, and peace and stability in the Middle East region. "China continues to believe the Iranian nuclear issue should be properly resolved through diplomatic negotiations", Hu stressed. "The UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 1737, which reflects the shared concerns of the international community over the Iranian nuclear issue, and we hope Iran will make a serious response to the resolution," Hu said. Hu also expressed the hope that Iran will make a serious response to the resolution. "The international community should continue the diplomatic efforts to promote the early resumption of negotiations to achieve a long-term, comprehensive and good settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue", Hu added.

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo and other officials attended the meeting.