On the morning of August 26, 2003, Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing held talks with his Iranian counterpart Kamal Kharazi at the Foreign Ministry. They had an exchange of views on bilateral ties and regional and international issues of common concern.

Li said the Chinese and Iranian people cherish traditional friendship, and since the Islamic Republic of Iran was founded, the two nations' friendly and cooperative ties have been constantly developed, with exchange of high-level visits increasing, trade and economic cooperation fruitful and international cooperation enhanced. He said China is pleased at the progress. Further consolidation and expansion of friendly ties is in their fundamental interests and conducive to regional peace and stability.

Li said the Chinese government values its economic relations with Iran, and supports Chinese businesses to cooperate with Iran in varied forms on the basis of equality and mutual benefit. The two economies are highly complementary. China would like to work with Iran to bring economic cooperation and trade to a new level.

Kharazi said the bilateral relations have developed rapidly in recent years, and their good political relations have laid a sound basis for the progress of the two countries' economic and cultural ties. Iran is satisfied with the development of bilateral ties, hoping they will further enhance cooperation in bilateral and multi-lateral fields and jointly safeguard regional stability. Moreover, Kharazi said, Iran and China have great potential for development in trade and economy, and the two nations should further strengthen cooperation in this area.

The two sides also exchanged views over the nuclear issue of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), and issues involving the Middle East, Afghanistan and Iraq.