Li Changchun, a senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC), arrived in Iran's capital of Tehran on Tuesday for an official goodwill visit to Iran.

Li, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau, conveyed sincere greetings and the best wishes to the Iranian people in a written speech issued upon his arrival at the airport.

Iran is an ancient civilized country with a long history which has created the splendid Persian civilization and made important contribution to the development and progress of human civilization, he said.

Exchanges between China and Iran began more than 2,000 years ago, and the ancient Silk Road witnessed the continuation and development of the friendship between the two countries, Li added.

"China values the traditional friendship between the two sides, and during my stay here I will meet and hold talks with Iranian leaders, exchange our ideas on boosting the bilateral relations, discuss new ways to promote political mutual trust and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and promote bilateral exchanges and cooperation in political, economic and cultural aspects to gain new achievements," he said.

Iran is the last leg of Li's four-nation tour which has taken him to Estonia, Montenegro and Ireland. He is scheduled to return to China after visiting Iran.