习近平会见伊朗最高领袖哈梅内伊

Visiting Chinese president Xi Jinping has met with Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The two leaders pledged to beef up practical cooperation between the two countries.

TEHRAN, Jan. 23, 2016 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) meets with Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran, Iran, Jan. 23, 2016. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

During the meeting, President Xi said China will always be a "reliable cooperative partner" of Iran. He called Iran a "natural partner" in implementing the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative. He told Khamenei that China will unswervingly follow a path of peaceful development and adhere to an independent foreign policy of peace.

Khamenei expressed gratitude to China for its enduring support for Iran, and said that Tehran is willing to push the bilateral practical cooperation to a new high. He said Iran stands ready to play a greater role in the Belt and Road Initiative.