Iran's Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said Sunday that the Islamic Republic of Iran welcomes expansion of cultural ties with Muslim-populated Xinjiang province in northwestern China, IRNA reported.
Salehi made the remark in a meeting with Xinjiang governor-general, Mohammad Nour Abu-Bakr during a stop at Urumqi Airport in Xinjiang province en route Chinese capital of Beijing.
'In my meeting with Xinjiang governor-general, I invited the provincial officials to visit Iran and they also welcomed my invitation,' he added.
Referring to high potentials of Xinjiang province in industrial and agricultural areas, Salehi emphasized cooperation between Iran and Xinjiang province in these areas.
'Relations between Iran and China's Xinjiang province date back to ancient Silk Road,' he added.
Muslim-populated Chinese province of Xinjiang with a population of 21 million is located in northwestern China. Xinjiang is one of China's important agricultural and industrial hubs.