Wu Bangguo(C, front), chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, arrives in Tehran, Iran, on Sept. 9, 2012 for a four-day official goodwill visit to Iran. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)
TEHRAN, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislator Wu Bangguo arrived here Sunday afternoon, kicking off his four-day official goodwill visit to Iran.
Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), is scheduled to hold separate meetings and talks with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, First Vice President Mohammad-Reza Rahimi and Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani.
"Under joint efforts, China and Iran have witnessed smooth development of bilateral friendly cooperation since the two countries established diplomatic ties over 40 years ago," said Wu in a written speech released upon his arrival.
The cooperation, said Wu, has brought about tangible benefits to the two countries as well as their peoples.
"China will continue to work with Iran to keep increasing mutual understanding and trust and expanding friendly exchanges and operation in a bid to lift bilateral ties to a higher level," said Wu.
Iran is the first leg of Wu's four-nation tour, which will also take him to Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Fiji.