On 23 January 2016 local time, President Xi Jinping met in Tehran with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei of Iran.

Xi Jinping pointed out that China-Iran friendship, originating not only from the time-honored friendly exchanges between the two nations, but also from their mutual support in hard times and practical cooperation featuring mutual benefit and win-win result, is very precious. At present, China-Iran relations encounter new opportunities. China will always be a "reliable cooperative partner" of Iran and stands ready to deepen bilateral cooperation on all fronts. China and Iran are "natural partners" in implementing the “Belt and Road” initiative. China will work with Iran to dock development strategies, boost cooperation in such areas as infrastructure, connectivity, production capacity and energy within the framework of the “Belt and Road” initiative for the benefit of the two peoples, so as to make the China-Iran friendship take deeper roots in people's heart.

Xi Jinping noted that at present, the international situation is undergoing profound and complex changes. After years of exploration and practice, peoples in China and Iran, both as developing nations, choose the development path suitable to their respective national conditions. China will unswervingly follow a peaceful development path and adhere to an independent foreign policy of peace. China is willing to maintain mutual support with Iran in regional and global affairs, and jointly safeguard peace, stability and development in the region and around the world.

Ali Khamenei said that Iran speaks highly of the development achievement scored by China and is grateful to China for its long-term support. Iran is ready to work with China to earnestly implement the Iran-China comprehensive strategic partnership to push bilateral practical cooperation to a new high. The “Belt and Road” initiative put forward by China comes at the right time. Iran is an important country along the “Belt and Road” and stands ready to play a greater role in jointly pursuing the initiative with China. China is a very influential country in the world and Iran hopes to strengthen communication and coordination with China to jointly safeguard security, peace and stability in the region.

Wang Huning, Li Zhanshu, Yang Jiechi and others were present at the meeting.