Top Chinese official starts 4-nation tour

China's top legislator Wu Bangguo arrived in Teheran on Sunday, kicking off a two-week visit to four Asia-Pacific countries.

Analysts said the tour, which will also take him to Myanmar, Sri Lanka and the South Pacific island country of Fiji, is aimed at consolidating traditional friendships and deepening political and economic ties.

Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress and also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, arrived in Teheran at 3:10 pm to start the first visit in 16 years by China's top legislator to the country.