Dushanbe, 25. 01. 2016 (NIAT «Khovar») .- Islamic Republic of Iran and Peoples Republic of China agreed to expand bilateral ties to form a comprehensive strategic partnership, President Hassan Rouhani and visiting Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping said on Saturday, calling it a «new season» in bilateral relations.

Both countries signed 17 accords on Saturday, including agreements on a revival of the ancient Silk Road trade route and cooperation in peaceful nuclear energy.

Iran and China are planning to develop cooperation in various nuclear fields as international sanctions on Tehran have been lifted, Chinese atomic chief said.

In the sideline of this visit, the head of China’s Atomic Energy Authority, Xu Dazhe, meets with his Iranian counterpart Ali Akbar Salehi, the head of China’s Atomic Energy Authority, in Tehran, said that in addition to the reconfiguration of the Arak nuclear facility, Iran and China will continue nuclear cooperation on economic, research and industrial dimensions, IRNA news agency reported on Jan. 23.

In turn, Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Ali Akbar Salehi, also called for the expansion of bilateral ties and elaborated on a memorandum of understanding signed between Iran and China to construct several nuclear power plants in the Islamic Republic.

According to Salehi, China will cooperate with Tehran in the construction of two nuclear power plants in Iran’s southern city of Bushehr which are expected to generate 1,000 megawatt of power.

He also added that the countries are planning the construction of several small power plants with the capacity of 100 megawatt.