China opposes
proliferation of nuclear weapons in any form, but supports
international cooperation for the peaceful use of nuclear energy,
said President Hu Jintao.
He made these remarks
during a meeting with visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal
Kharazi in Beijing Monday.
Hu told Kharazi, who
arrived on Sunday, that China appreciates Iran's policy of
strengthening cooperation 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 program for the
peaceful utilization of nuclear energy is completely
transparent.
He added that Iran is
willing to cooperate 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 cooperation
in the areas of trade, energy, telecommunications and
transportation.
(China Daily August 26,
2003)