"We will not lose our 60-billion-dollar trade exchanges with China," Asadollah Asgaroladi said on Tuesday, addressing a joint meeting of Iranian and Chinese businessmen and economic activists.
He underlined that although many European firms have visited Iran, China still has its special place in Iran.
Iran accounted for 11% of China's oil imports in 2011 which is expected to rise given the long-term deals the two countries will sign on Sunday, said the Iranian official.
In mid-May, a deputy petroleum minister of petroleum said Tehran regards China as a reliable partner, voicing Tehran's willingness to enter into partnership with major Chinese firms for developing oil and gas fields in Iran in a competitive atmosphere.
Amir Hossein Zamaninia, deputy petroleum minister for international affairs and trading, underlined the long-lasting relations between Iran and China which well exceed a century.
"China is a strategic partner for Iran and we are seeking to enhance our relations with this country," said the Iranian official, speaking in a meeting with the visiting deputy head of the National Energy Administration China Zhang yu ging in Tehran.
Zamaninia said Sino-Iranian relations are at their best state possible, adding that Beijing proved very instrumental in Tehran's nuclear talks with the P5+1 group of countries.
"China has been influential in developing Iran's oil industry," he added.
Zamaninia also expressed hope that Iran-China relationships in oil, gas, refining and petrochemical industries will improve in the post-sanctions setting.
He said Tehran and Beijing are to ink a memorandum of understanding on long-term relations for developing oil and gas projects in Iran and enhancement of oil and gas recovery from Iranian fields by Chinese companies.
By Fars News Agency
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