Senior Chinese legislator attends Iran's late supreme leader's funeral

Vice Chairman of China's National People's Congress Standing Committee He Wei visited Tehran from Thursday to Friday for the funeral of late Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on behalf of China.

During his stay, He met separately with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf.

He conveyed China's deep condolences over the tragic passing of Khamenei and extended sincere sympathies to the Iranian government and people, as well as to Khamenei's family.

China, he added, hopes that under the leadership of Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran will restore security, stability and development as soon as possible.

Since the two countries established diplomatic ties 55 years ago, bilateral relations have maintained steady and sound development, He noted, adding that China's commitment to developing relations with Iran will remain unwavering, and the advancement of China-Iran ties will stay unchanged.

China, he stressed, stands ready to work with Iran to promote the steady and long-term development of the China-Iran comprehensive strategic partnership.

In addition, He said China welcomes the signing of the memorandum of understanding between Iran and the United States, and hopes that both sides will implement the outcomes already achieved, maintain the ceasefire, remain rational and pragmatic, and consolidate the momentum of negotiations.

China also hopes that the issue of the Strait of Hormuz will be properly handled and that countries in the region will live in harmony, He noted.

The Iranian leaders congratulated the Communist Party of China on its 105th founding anniversary and thanked China for sending a high-level representative to attend the late supreme leader's funeral.

They said Iran will remember China's long-running, valuable support, appreciates and supports the four global initiatives proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping, and stands ready to strengthen communication and coordination with China to elevate Iran-China relations to new levels.

Iran, they added, is willing to continue working to ease tensions through political and diplomatic channels, properly handle the Strait of Hormuz issue in accordance with international law, and develop good-neighborly and friendly relations with neighboring countries.

Earlier on Friday, high-ranking Iranian and foreign officials paid their respects to Khamenei at a tribute ceremony held at Imam Khomeini's Mosalla prayer hall in central Tehran.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei, Chairman of the Expediency Discernment Council Sadeq Amoli Larijani and other senior officials attended the ceremony.

Foreign guests included heads of state, parliament speakers and ministers from a number of countries. Among them were Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili, Iraqi President Nizar Amedi, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, President of Iraq's Kurdistan Region Nechirvan Barzani, as well as senior officials from China and Russia.

Religious figures, scholars and tribal leaders also attended the ceremony.

Funeral ceremonies will continue through July 9, with processions in Tehran, Qom and Mashhad, as well as rites in Iraq. Iranian authorities have announced public closures and airspace restrictions in Tehran and Mashhad on key dates, with Thursday declared a day of national mourning.

Ali Khamenei was killed in a US and Israeli strike in Tehran on February 28. His son, Mojtaba Khamenei, was selected as Iran's new supreme leader in March.

(With input from Xinhua)