Nejad calls on Chinese President

BEIJING (AFP) - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad held talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao in Beijing on Saturday in a rare visit to China coinciding with the start of the Paralympic Games.

Hu said in welcoming words to Ahmadinejad at the Great Hall of the People in Tiananmen Square that the two would discuss Sino-Iranian relations, among other issues, during their meeting. “I would like to further exchange opinions with you Mr President about issues like Sino-Iranian relations,” Hu told the Iranian President.

“I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank you and other Iranian leaders for the assistance your government provided for the Chinese people affected by the May 12 Sichuan earthquake,” Hu said, according to state media. “Both China and Iran are big developing nations... and (there is) great potential of cooperation,” he added, according to Xinhua news agency.