BEIJING, February 16. /TASS/. During his visit to Beijing, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi invited Chinese president Xi Jinping to come to the Islamic Republic and the Chinese leader accepted the invitation, according to a joint statement issued by the two leaders on Thursday.

"President Raisi invited President Xi Jinping to pay a state visit to Iran. President Xi Jinping gladly accepted the invitation and expressed his readiness to visit Iran at a convenient time," China Central Television quoted the statement as saying.

The two leaders stressed in the joint statement their willingness to maintain close relations and deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership between the PRC and Iran. The parties agreed to develop cooperation in politics, security, the economy, culture and education. Beijing and Tehran reaffirmed their commitment to the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries.

Raisi’s three-day official visit to China will end on February 16; he arrived in Beijing on February 14 at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping.