Chinese President Hu Jintao (3rd L) meets with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (2nd R) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Sept. 6, 2008. Ahmadinejad will attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Paralympic Games scheduled for Saturday night.

　　BEIJING, Sept. 6 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao met on Saturday with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who is here to attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Paralympic Games, scheduled for Saturday night.

　　Hu first extended a warm welcome to Ahmadinejad and thanked Iran for its support to the Beijing Olympics and Paralympics.

　　
Chinese President Hu Jintao shakes hands with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad during their meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Sept. 6, 2008. Ahmadinejad will attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Paralympic Games scheduled for Saturday night.

　　"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.

　　In recent years, the Sino-Iranian relationship has achieved new progress, as the two countries have deepened mutual understanding, maintained a good momentum of economic and trade cooperation, and witnessed a smooth beginning of cooperation on such issues as anti-narcotics, anti-terrorism and regional security, said Hu.

　　"Both China and Iran are big developing nations, and have strong economic complementarity and great potential of cooperation," he added.

　　The Chinese government cherishes its traditional friendship with Iran and is ready to work with the Iranian side to push forward bilateral relations on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, said Hu.

　　"We hope the two countries could enhance political exchanges, deepen mutually-beneficial cooperation, explore new areas of bilateral cooperation, strengthen international cooperation and work together to maintain regional and global peace and stability," he added.

　　President Ahmadinejad congratulated Hu on the success of the Beijing Olympic Games, and wished a complete success for the Beijing Paralympic Games.

　　As two ancient civilizations, Iran and China share the common aspiration to strengthen bilateral exchange and cooperation, said the Iranian leader.

　　Both sides have witnessed a sound development of cooperation in economic, trade and cultural areas, and there remains huge potential for further cooperation, he noted.

　　Iran hopes to develop a friendly cooperative relationship with China in both bilateral fields and international and regional affairs, he added.

　　On the Iran nuclear issue, the Chinese president pointed out that the Chinese side respects Iran's right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy, supports safeguarding the international non-proliferation regime, and adheres to the peaceful settlement of the Iran nuclear issue through dialogues and negotiations.

　　"At present, the Iran nuclear issue is faced with a rare opportunity for the resumption of talks, and we hope all parties concerned could seize the opportunity and show flexibility, to push for a peaceful settlement of the issue," he told his Iranian counterpart.

　　China, as always, will be committed to pushing for the settlement of the issue through peaceful negotiations, and will continue to play a constructive role to this end, he added.

　　Ahmadinejad responded that relevant parties have put forth two proposals regarding the settlement of the Iran nuclear issue, and it is hoped that a solution acceptable to all parties could be found.

　　The Iranian side is willing to keep exchanges and consultations with the Chinese side, he added.