Chinese President Xi Jinping said Friday that China is ready to work with Syria to promote the common values of humanity and facilitate dialogue between civilizations.

In a phone conversation with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, President Xi also called for joint efforts to defend international equity and justice, and safeguard the common interests of developing countries.

Xi pointed out that Syria is one of the first Arab countries to establish diplomatic ties with the People's Republic of China and one of the co-sponsors of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly resolution that restored China's lawful seat in the UN.

Over the past 65 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, China-Syria relations have withstood the test of changes in the international situation and bilateral friendship has been further cemented, he added.

Xi said China attaches great importance to the development of China-Syria relations and is willing to work with the Syrian side to promote greater achievements in bilateral friendly cooperation.

The Chinese president also voiced China's further support to the Syrian side in its fight against COVID-19 pandemic as well as in Syrian reconstruction and development.

"We welcome the Syrian side's participation in the Belt and Road Initiative and Global Development Initiative," said Xi.

He called for safeguarding international equity and justice and upholding the common interests of developing countries.

Xi stressed that China firmly supports Syria in safeguarding its national sovereignty, territorial integrity and national dignity, and firmly opposes interference by external forces in Syria's internal affairs.

The Chinese president said he is confident that Syria will overcome various risks and challenges, and achieve new victories in the struggle to defend independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and the Syrian people will embrace a better future.

Hailing China's great contributions to the maintenance of world peace, stability and development, Assad on behalf of the Syrian government and people, sincerely appreciated China's support for Syria's efforts to safeguard national sovereignty, territorial integrity and national dignity, oppose interference in Syria's internal affairs by external forces, and uphold international law and international justice.

He added the Syrian side hopes to expand and deepen cooperation with China, and welcomes Chinese enterprises to increase investment in Syria.

Noting socialism with Chinese characteristics has achieved great success, the Syrian president voiced the willingness to learn China's experience.

The Syrian side will continue to firmly support China on issues related to Xinjiang, Tibet, Hong Kong, Taiwan, human rights and the South China Sea, Assad stressed.