No matter how the global situation changes, China's willingness to develop relations with Iran will not change, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Wednesday during his phone call with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.

China-Iran relations have withstood the test of changes in the international situation since their establishment 50 years ago, President Xi said, adding that friendship between the two peoples has also withstood the test of time.

In a time of unprecedented global changes and a once-in-a-century COVID-19 pandemic, China and Iran have shared weal and woe and helped each other, Xi pointed out.

He added the two sides have strengthened solidarity and cooperation and made positive progress in practical cooperation while fighting the pandemic together, which has effectively consolidated mutual trust and firmly safeguarded international justice and equity.

"China appreciated that Iran attached importance to developing relations with China," said Xi. He also voiced China's willingness to work with Iran to carry forward the China-Iran comprehensive strategic partnership for steady and sustained progress.

President Xi called on the two sides to continue to support each other on issues concerning their respective core interests and major concerns.

China, Xi said, firmly supports Iran in defending its national sovereignty and dignity, and opposing foreign intervention.

China is willing to strengthen the exchange of governance experience with Iran and enhance cooperation in combating the pandemic, he added.

Noting that the China-Iran comprehensive cooperation plan opens up broader prospects for the bilateral cooperation, Xi urged the two sides to dig deeper into the potential, jointly build the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and create more practical cooperation achievements.

China supports Iran's reasonable demands concerning the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on the Iranian nuclear issue, and is willing to enhance coordination and cooperation with the Iranian side on regional affairs to safeguard common interests and promote regional security and stability, Xi stressed.

For his part, Raisi extended warm congratulations on the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China and the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two sides.

He said the Iranian government takes the unswerving development of a stronger and more comprehensive strategic partnership between Iran and China as a priority and focus of its foreign policy.

The Iranian president thanked China for its valuable support in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Iran, he added, appreciates China's just positions on international and regional issues, such as the Iranian nuclear issue, and hopes to continue close communication and coordination with China in a bid to oppose unilateralism, hegemonism and foreign intervention.

"The Iranian side firmly supports China's position on issues concerning Taiwan, Xinjiang and Hong Kong, and firmly opposes individual countries using the virus origin-tracing issue to suppress and contain China."

Calling the China-proposed BRI a strategic vision, Raisi also voiced Iran's willingness to actively participate in it.