TEHRAN -- Iranian Foreign Minister Manuchehr Mottaki here on Wednesday proposed establishing a union of Asian states.

In a meeting with visiting Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Zhai Jun, Mottaki said since regional convergence is growing throughout the world, forming an Asian union will benefit the regional countries.
The foreign minister said that Iran and China are seriously seeking to “update their traditional ties” and should employ all potential to improve the level of bilateral relations in various areas.
Pointing to the large amount of trade between Tehran and Beijing, he urged China to improve the quality of its exports to Iran.
Mottaki also said that China’s presence in Africa prevents the monopolization of its energy needs by certain powers.
Zhai said that China is prepared to cooperate with Iran in the area of key industries such as oil and gas.
“Iran’s growth of power in the region and the international arena is to Beijing’s interest,” he stated.
Zhai also invited President Mahmud Ahmadinejad to visit China for the Olympics games, which are going to be held in Beijing from August 8 to 24.
Beijing did not report Iran to IAEA
In a meeting with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister and Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad-Ali Hosseini, Zhai appreciated the Islamic Republic’s efforts to establish peace and stability in the region.
He rejected reports that China had passed intelligence to the International Atomic Energy Agency on Iran’s alleged violation of the IAEA’s charter.
Last week Associated Press reported that Chinese diplomats have provided the IAEA with intelligence linked to Iran’s alleged attempts to make nuclear arms.
“China has not sent the agency any reports about Iran’s nuclear program,” he stated.
Hosseini, for his part, said that Iran is prepared to expand political and economic cooperation with the giant Asian country