Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raisi discussed bilateral relations and international developments in a Friday call.

During the phone call, Xi noted that the world is currently in a period of turbulence and transformation, with changes and a pandemic both unprecedented in a century.

He also added that the aspirations of people in all countries for development and security have become more pressing, and the call for international equity and justice has only grown stronger.

Xi also hailed Chinese-Iranian cooperation, which has been lately boosted and has protected the two countries’ legitimate rights and interests.

China views its relations with Iran from a strategic standpoint and is ready to collaborate with Iran to push for new progress in the China-Iran comprehensive strategic partnership, he added.

Furthermore, he emphasized that the two sides should continue to strongly support one other on issues pertaining to each other's core interests and major concerns, as well as uphold the policy of non-interference in the other’s internal affairs, a fundamental norm in international relations.

On his part, Raisi noted that Iran and China celebrated the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties last year and that bilateral cooperation has advanced significantly over the past 50 years.

The Iranian leader added that he believes that bilateral ties will reach even higher levels of development in the future if both sides work together.

He also stated that it is a priority and a critical component of Iran's established foreign policy to firmly deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

Both Iran and China oppose hegemony and unilateralism, as well as interference in other countries' internal affairs, illegal unilateral sanctions, and double standards, according to Raisi, who added that Iran firmly backs China in safeguarding its core interests.

Iran values China's important and active role in international and regional affairs and supports China's proposed Global Development Initiative and Global Security Initiative, he stressed.

Raisi concluded by saying that his country is ready to conduct close communication and coordination with China in order to safeguard international fairness and justice, defend the shared interests of developing countries, not to mention promote regional and global peace.

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