China and Iran are great economic partners, and the two nations enjoy growing and durable economic relations, the spokesman for the Chinese ministry of commerce said on Saturday.

The two countries remain to be important trade partners and, based on the figures, relations between Beijing and Tehran are satisfactory, Gao Feng said in an exclusive interview with the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA). 

China-Iran economic cooperation is on a positive path, and the two nations are expected to witness growing cooperation, Feng said.

Beijing attaches great importance to its relations with Iran and will continue its legitimate and regular economic cooperation with the country despite US sanctions, he said.

Two months after the US May 2018 unilateral withdrawal from the Iran Deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, Chinese Foreign Ministry said China and Iran are friendly countries to each other. 

'We maintain normal exchanges and cooperation on the basis of conforming to our obligations under the international law, including in the fields of economy, trade and energy. This is beyond reproach,' it stressed. 

About bilateral relations in other areas than trade, Feng said China and Iran have also great cooperation in the New Silk Road known as 'One Belt, One Road' project.

The first freight train that left China for Iran in line with development of the Silk Road project, did make Tehran more determined to further develop ties with Beijing, the Chinese official said.

The freight train, carrying 32 containers, arrived in the Iranian capital in Feb 2016 after a journey from Yiwu city in east China.

Referring to the southeastern Iranian strategic port of Chabahar, Feng said the Persian Gulf port city is a vital and important sea gateway for the New Silk Road as it connects together shipping routes.