Leaders address Iran's thirst for growth

Nations agree to upgrade ties and work together on Belt and Road Inititiative

Observers have expressed high hopes for China's role in helping Iran reinvigorate its economy, which has been weakened by three decades of international sanctions.

President Xi Jinping and his Iranian counterpart, Hassan Rouhani, agreed to upgrade their countries' two-way relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership during talks in Teheran on Saturday.