Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif have co-chaired the inaugural annual foreign ministers' meeting for their two countries. It is part of efforts to deepen strategic trust and cooperation on multilateral affairs.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (R) shakes hands with his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 5, 2016. Wang and Zarif co-chaired the first annual foreign ministers' meeting and met with the press on Monday. [Xinhua]

Wang brought up President Xi Jinping's state visit to Iran in January when the two sides forged a comprehensive strategic partnership. Wang called Iran an "important country" along the Belt and Road route. He said the two countries have coordinated closely to implement the outcome of Xi's visit and made new progress in cooperation.

Zarif expressed appreciation for China's efforts, and promised to enhance substantial cooperation and the strategic partnership. China has been Iran's largest trading partner for the past seven years.

"We agreed to deepen bilateral cooperation, which is mutually beneficial and based on a win-win cooperation principle. The two countries have a very good foundation and great potential for cooperation in various fields, such as economy and trade, energy, and infrastructure," Wang said.

"The two sides will play to our strengths in building ‘The Belt and Road' framework, and provide each other complementary functions. Also we will expand pragmatic cooperation, and map out plans for interoperability and capacity."