China opposes proliferation of nuclear weapons in any form, but supports international co-operation for the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

President Hu Jintao made these remarks during a meeting with visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi in Beijing yesterday.

Hu told Kharazi, who arrived on Sunday, that China appreciates Iran's policy of strengthening co-operation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and its positive statement on the issue of signing the additional protocol for the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

Kharazi briefed Hu about Iran's stand on the nuclear issue. He stressed that Iran has no plan to develop nuclear weapons, and that its programme for the peaceful utilization of nuclear energy is completely transparent.

He added that Iran is willing to co-operate with the IAEA.

Hu Jintao told Kharazi that China attaches great importance to its relations with Iran, and hopes to develop the relations on the basis of the principles of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful co-existence.

The Chinese president noted that China-Iran relations have developed smoothly over the past years, characterized by frequent top-level visits and smooth co-operation in areas of trade, energy, telecommunications and transportation.

"Iran has become an important trade partner of China in the Middle East,'' Hu said.

"We appreciate the Iranian Government's firm support of China on the Taiwan question''

Hu said both China and Iran are developing countries of Asia, and both insist on building a just and reasonable new world political and economic order.

The two countries' economies are highly complementary and the potential for co-operation is great, Hu said.

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