Visiting senior Communist Party of China (CPC) official Li Changchun met in Tehran Tuesday with the Iranian president and vice president to discuss bilateral relations.

Li Changchun (R), a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, meets with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad in Tehran, capital of Iran, Sept. 28, 2010. [Ma Zhancheng/Xinhua]

Li, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau, thanked Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for offering condolences to China when the country was hit by severe natural disasters, including the earthquake in Yushu, Qinghai province, and the mudslides in Zhouqu, Gansu province, and his attendance at the Shanghai Expo to celebrate Iran's National Pavilion Day.

With joint efforts by the two countries in recent years, bilateral relations have maintained a good momentum, political mutual trust has been enhanced and bilateral trade cooperation has been widened, Li said.

Exchanges in culture, education and tourism have been expanded, and traditional friendship between the two peoples has been deepened.H The two countries are faced with challenges as well as development opportunities regarding regional and world stability, tackling the impacts of the international financial crisis and boosting economic development, he noted.

The CPC official said China is willing to cooperate with Iran to seize the opportunities to consolidate and develop bilateral relations in various areas.

Li, who is on an official goodwill visit to Iran, put forward a four-point proposal to develop bilateral relations, including maintaining high-level contacts and deepening political mutual trust, boosting pragmatic cooperation, strengthening cultural exchanges, and maintaining coordination in international affairs.

Li and Ahmadinejad exchanged their views on international and regional issues of common concern.

Li reiterated China's stance to solve the Iranian nuclear issue through negotiations. "China is willing to continue playing a constructive role in this regard," he said.

Ahmadinejad asked Li to convey his greetings to Chinese President Hu Jintao and said he agreed with Li's proposal on further boosting bilateral relations.

The Iranian president pointed out that Iran and China share similar views on the current world situation and global issues, and they face similar challenges and opportunities.

"Development of friendly relations between the two countries is in the interest of the two peoples and regional peace," he said. "Iran will continue implementing friendly policies toward China, boost pragmatic cooperation in different fields and realize the common development of the two sides."

While expressing appreciation for China's long-standing efforts to help solve the Iranian nuclear issue, he said Iran is committed to solving the issue through negotiations.

Earlier in the day, Li also met with Iran's Vice President Mohammad Reza Mir-Tajeddini.

Li spoke highly of the relations between China and Iran in recent years, and said the steady development of bilateral ties has benefited the two peoples.

Mir-Tajeddini said Iran is willing to work closely with China to explore new areas in bilateral cooperation, which has huge potential, and deepen exchanges in fields including culture and journalism.

After their talks, Li and Mir-Tajeddini attended a signing ceremony of cooperation agreements in culture, education and journalism, and they also jointly unveiled the China Central Television's (CCTV) Tehran Bureau.

Li arrived here Tuesday, the last leg of his four-nation tour which has taken him to Estonia, Montenegro and Ireland.