Xi, Rouhani agree to expand ties

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AP

Chinese President Xi Jinping (right) shakes hands with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in an official arrival ceremony, at the Saadabad Palace in Tehran, on Saturday. The two leaders agreed to expand economic and political ties, calling it a "new season" in bilateral relations.

Both sides agree to increase trade to $600 billion in the next 10 years.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and visiting Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping said on Saturday that their countries had agreed to expand economic and political ties, calling it a “new season” in bilateral relations.

“We are happy that President Xi visited Iran after the lifting of sanctions ... Iran and China have agreed to increase trade to $600 billion in the next 10 years,” Mr. Rouhani said at the news conference with Mr. Xi broadcast live on the state television.

One of the 6 world powers to do so

China was one of six world powers to negotiate a landmark deal with Iran last July under which Tehran has curbed its disputed nuclear programme and won a removal of isolating international sanctions in return.