CNN's Kevin Wang contributed to this report. China's president in Middle East to boost ties 02:16 

China and Iran agree to a "comprehensive strategic
partnership"
They commit to military-to-military communication and
political consultations over Syria
"China and Iran are faced with new development
opportunities in their relations," Xi says
(CNN)— Chinese President Xi Jinping capped a three-
nation tour of the Mideast by blessing wide agreements
with Iran on regional politics, nuclear energy, trade and
military communication, officials said Saturday.
Iran was the final stop of Xi's itinerary that earlier
included Egypt and Saudi Arabia. He arrived in Iran on
Friday to cement better relations, the first Chinese
President to visit that country in 14 years.
The two nations agreed to a "comprehensive strategic
partnership" that commits them to military-to-military
communication; enhances consultations over Syria,
Yemen, and elimination of weapons of mass
destruction in the Middle East; and reiterates non-
interference in handling international affairs, according
to the two countries' foreign ministries.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Xi witnessed
high-ranking officials of their respective countries
signing a total of 17 memorandums of understanding
and other documents that establish "a maritime Silk
Road of the 21st century" and the "peaceful use" of
atomic energy, the Iranian presidency said.
The two countries also inked a treaty regarding mutual
legal cooperation on criminal, civil and trade issues,
according to Iranian officials.
Other signed agreements dealt with providing goods for
confronting weather change; cementing industrial,
mining, investment, communication and information
technology cooperation; and providing funds for a
Tehran-Mashhad express railway, officials said.
Xi: 'New ... opportunities in' China-Iran
relations
In recent decades, Iran has been at odds with many
leading countries around the world -- including the
United States -- in part due to its nuclear program.
Some of that tension has thawed lately, though, as
evidenced by the recent lifting of international sanctions
on Iran after it was determined Tehran has done what's
necessary to comply with a landmark nuclear deal.
China's openness to Iran, though, is not new. After all,
it's been Iran's biggest trading partner for the past six
years, Beijing's state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
Still, Xi -- capping his first Middle East tour since
becoming President in 2013 -- on Saturday
acknowledged both "China and Iran are faced with new
development opportunities in their relations."
"China stands ready to work with Iran to seize the
momentum and further elevate our relationship and
practical cooperation, so as to usher in a new chapter
for our ties featuring comprehensive, long-term and
stable development," Xi said, according to Xinhua.
Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Ming described
Xi's visit to Iran as "a milestone that will usher in a
new era of bilateral ties featuring comprehensive, long-
term and stable development."
CNN's Kevin Wang contributed to this report.