TIANJIN, July 16 (Xinhua) -- China will continue to support Iran in safeguarding its national sovereignty and dignity, resisting power politics and bullying, defending its legitimate rights and interests through political negotiation, and adhering to the principle of good-neighborliness and friendship to continuously improve and develop relations with its neighboring countries, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Wednesday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks in north China's Tianjin during a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, who is in China for the meeting of the council of the ministers of foreign affairs of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states.

As a comprehensive strategic partner, China is willing to work with Iran to deepen mutual trust, strengthen cooperation, expand exchanges, and promote the steady and long-term development of China-Iran relations, Wang said.

Araghchi thanked China for its invaluable support for Iran while also expressing support for China's role as the rotating president of the SCO and its preparations for the Tianjin Summit.

Iran is willing to enhance high-level exchanges between the two countries, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and continue to firmly support each other, he said.

The two sides also exchanged their views on the Iranian nuclear issue.

Araghchi reaffirmed that Iran has absolutely no intention to develop nuclear weapons but will not give up its legitimate right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy. It is willing to resume negotiations and consultations with all parties as soon as possible on the premise of equality and respect, to seek a political solution to the Iranian nuclear issue.

Wang said that China has always opposed the use of force or the threat of force and advocates resolving differences through dialogue and consultation.

China highly values Iran's commitment not to developing nuclear weapons, respects Iran's right to the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and appreciates Iran's pursuit of peace through diplomatic means. China supports Iran in maintaining the momentum of dialogue with all parties, and is willing to continue to play a constructive role in promoting the settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue and stability in the Middle East region, he noted.