BEIJING -- Chinese President Hu Jintao met on Saturday with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who is here to attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Paralympic Games, scheduled for Saturday night.

China's President Hu Jintao (R) shakes hands with Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing September 6, 2008. Ahmadinejad is in China for talks and to attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games. [Agencies]

Hu first extended a warm welcome to Ahmadinejad and thanked Iran for its support to the Beijing Olympics and Paralympics.

"I'd also like to take this opportunity to thank you and other Iranian leaders for the assistance your government provided for the Chinese people affected by the May 12 Sichuan earthquake," Hu said.

The Chinese president reviewed his previous meetings with President Ahmadinejad in 2006 and 2007 in Shanghai and Bishkek, during which the two leaders exchanged views on bilateral relations and other major issues and reached broad consensus.

President Ahmadinejad congratulated Hu on the success of the Beijing Olympic Games, and wished a complete success for the Beijing Paralympic Games.

Iran and China have developed a sound cooperative relationship through exchanges and communication in multiple areas, said the Iranian leader.