BEIJING, July 4. /TASS/. China will purposefully develop relations with Iran and continue to strengthen them, said Deputy Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC, parliament) He Wei.

"China's determination to develop relations with Iran is unwavering, and this direction will not change. We are ready to work with the Iranian side to make efforts to ensure a stable and long-term development of the comprehensive strategic partnership between our countries," the Chinese Foreign Ministry quoted He Wei as saying.

He Wei attended a farewell ceremony with Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei the day before.

He said that China sincerely expresses its condolences to the government and people of Iran over the death of Ali Khamenei. He expressed hope that under the leadership of the new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, Tehran will restore security, stability and development as soon as possible.

He added that China welcomes the signing of a memorandum between Iran and the United States and hopes that both sides will maintain the ceasefire, advance negotiations, and act rationally and pragmatically. He noted that the problem of the Strait of Hormuz must be solved "appropriately."

Iran leadership congratulated China on the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, thanked Beijing for its continued support, and confirmed its readiness to strengthen cooperation to bring relations between the two countries to a new level. Iran also expressed its desire to resolve the issue of the Strait of Hormuz in accordance with international law, to eliminate tension in the region through political and diplomatic measures, and to strengthen good-neighborly relations with neighboring countries.