The Iranian legislators on Sunday approved an agreement which increases cooperation with China in fighting transnational crimes, including international terrorism and production and trafficking of drugs.

After the approval of the document by 180 lawmakers, Rapporteur of the parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Seyed Hossein Naqavi Hosseini elaborated on different aspects of mutual cooperation between Iran and China under the agreement, and said, "As you know, the relations between Iran and China are highly extensive and the two countries have inked this agreement to strengthen and develop their friendly relations and improve cooperation in fighting transnational crimes."

According to FNA, he said that Tehran and Beijing can cooperate with each other in fighting international terrorism, preventing the illegal production and trafficking of illicit drugs, smuggling of goods, specially antiques, money laundry and counterfeit of banknotes and securities.

Iran and China have forged an alliance in recent years, an effort which was opposed by many western powers.

Iran is currently China's third largest supplier of crude, providing Beijing with roughly 12 percent of its total annual oil consumption.

China is the biggest crude importer from Iran since it won a renewal of exemption from the United States' oil embargo against Tehran.

EA