BEIJING - China and Iran on Thursday established a joint committee to boost coordination in bilateral cultural cooperation.

According to a memorandum of understanding, the China-Iran Joint Cultural Committee will review the implementation of executive programs on cultural and educational cooperation between the two governments, study and tackle existing problems, formulate periodic implementation plans, exchange information and experience and discuss issues of common interest.

The memorandum was signed by Yang Zhijin, vice minister of culture and Mohammad Mehdi Imanipur, deputy chairman of the Islamic Culture and Relations Organization of Iran, after the committee's first meeting.

The joint committe will convene once every two years and will be hosted by the two sides alternately.

During Thursday's meeting, the two sides agreed on the reciprocal establishment of cultural centers. China's Ministry of Culture and Iran's Islamic Culture and Relations Organization will work on behalf of their respective governments to consult with each other on the establishment of cultural centers.

Imanipur, also head of the Iranian delegation, said the cultural centers are expected to be set up later this year in Tehran and Beijing, respectively.

The cultural centers will be used to promote cooperation between the two nations in the areas of tourism, media and publishing, he added.