Premier Li Qiang said on Thursday that China will, as always, firmly support Iran in safeguarding national sovereignty, territorial integrity and national dignity and strongly oppose any external interference in Iran's internal affairs.

Li made the remarks when meeting with Iran's First Vice-President Mohammad Mokhber on the sidelines of the 22nd Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states in the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek.

Li said for more than 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, China and Iran have maintained the stable and steady development of bilateral ties despite changes in the international situation.

China is willing to work with Iran to implement the important consensus reached by the heads of state and continuously enrich the two countries' comprehensive strategic partnership for the benefits of both peoples, he said.

The premier called on the two sides to implement their comprehensive cooperation plan, jointly build the Belt and Road Initiative, strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields and enhance people-to-people exchanges so as to achieve new progress in China-Iran cooperation.

China is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with Iran in multilateral mechanisms such as the United Nations, the SCO and the BRICS to safeguard the common interests of developing countries, Li added.

Mokhber said Iran is committed to deepening relations with China and will work with China to promote the Belt and Road cooperation, enhance connectivity and strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields.