Peking University, June 6, 2012: Peking University (PKU) is one of China's two most prestigious universities. It's safe to say that many of the top leaders of China tomorrow are studying here today.

Addressing students, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said exchanges between PKU and the University of Tehran had done much to build bridges between the two nations, which he referred to as ancient cultures that had both liberated themselves from colonialism.

He said the people of both countries shared a thirst for justice and brotherhood, and that God had endowed every man with the potential to achieve perfection. Yet this potential, he said, was not being realized because the current global order was one of prejudice, poverty, hegemony, exploitation and oppression.

Ahmadinejad was in Beijing to attend this year's summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, a security club made up of China, Russia and four former Soviet states in central Asia that has often been described as a counterweight to the US-led NATO. Although it only has observer status within the Organization, Iran is now subjected to more Western duress than any of the group's full members. For this it has much Chinese sympathy.

The US is now demanding that other countries break off practically all trade with Iran, something which China has made it clear it has no intention of doing. Among PKU students, opinions are mixed.

Following the summit, Ahmadinejad will return to Iran on Friday.

Edited by: Arthars

Source: Press TV