BEIJING — China will continue to provide assistance to Iran in its fight against COVID-19 epidemic, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in a phone conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Feb 28. 

Wang said China and Iran are comprehensive strategic partners and have always supported and helped each other in times of difficulties and stood firmly together.

When COVID-19 epidemic broke out in China, the first message of condolences China received from a foreign country came from Iran, Wang noted, saying that Iran has interpreted with real deeds the meaning of sharing weal and woe and being in the same boat, which China will always keep in mind.

Wang said the epidemic knows no national borders and China shares the same pain as the outbreak has intensified in Iran recently.

The Chinese side would like to express condolences to those who died of the disease and to families of the patients, and wish all infected people a speedy recovery, he said.

China believes that, under the leadership of the Iranian government, the Iranian people, united as one, will surely defeat the epidemic, Wang said.

At this moment, the Chinese people are willing to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Iranian people to overcome the difficulties together, he said.

China has donated a batch of nucleic acid test kits and medical supplies to Iran, and will continue to do its best to provide assistance according to Iran's needs, including carrying out cooperation in epidemic prevention and control, medical treatment and other fields, he said.

Wang stressed that both China and Iran are countries with ancient civilizations, and just as no difficulty can defeat the Chinese nation, nor will there be any difficulty that can defeat the Iranian people.

For his part, Zarif expressed gratitude to the Chinese side for calling to express condolences and support.

During the joint fight against the epidemic, the friendship between Iran and China, and between the two peoples will surely be deepened further and the two peoples will always stand firmly together, Zarif said.

Iran appreciates China's positive achievements in fighting the epidemic and is grateful for the medical supplies and technical support offered by China, he said.

Iran would like to boost exchanges and cooperation with China and learn from China's anti-epidemic experience, Zarif said.

Iran has been through various kinds of hardships, and it can surely overcome the challenges posed by the epidemic this time, he added.