President Xi pays visit to Iran

Chinese President Xi Jinping said he hoped to open a “new chapter” with Iran after the lifting of international sanctions under a nuclear deal, as he paid the first visit by a Chinese leader to the Islamic Republic in 14 years.

“In cooperation with the Iranian side and by benefiting from the current favorable conditions, China is ready to upgrade the level of bilateral relations and cooperation so that a new chapter will start in bilateral relations,” Xi said after meeting with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, according to Iranian state television.

China is Iran’s biggest trade partner, and continued purchasing oil from Iran after nuclear-related sanctions were tightened in 2012, despite U.S. pressure.