TEHRAN – Writing on his Twitter page in the Chinese language on Friday, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian said Iran “will bear in mind the friends of difficult days forever”.

The tweet by Iran’s chief diplomat comes as China is celebrating the 72nd anniversary of the People’s Republic of China.

Abdollahian also said Iran is a partner in this national celebration.

He also said joint efforts in the campaign against the Coronavirus pandemic, advancing the One-Belt and One-Road initiative coupled with the implementation of 25-year partnership are in line mutual cooperation between the two countries’ civilizations.

在新中国迎来72岁华诞之际，我们与中国朋友同享喜悦，中国的成就值得毫无保留的喝彩。我们珍视与中国的友谊，两国携手抗疫、共建“一带一路”、签署全面合作计划，都是两大古老文明的双向奔赴。中国新捐赠的200万剂新冠疫苗已运抵德黑兰，我们将永远铭记这份雪中送炭的情谊。再次祝中国生日快乐！

— H.Amirabdollahian امیرعبداللهیان (@Amirabdolahian) September 30, 2021

“Once again, we congratulate the birth (national day) of China,” the Iranian foreign minister tweeted.

China held a flag-raising ceremony to mark the 72nd anniversary of the founding of the PRC at Tian'anmen Square in Beijing on Friday. Local residents and tourists from across China witnessed the event.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government also held a ceremony at Golden Bauhinia Square on Friday morning to celebrate the event. The national flag and the flag of the HKSAR were raised in the presence of government officials and other representatives.

 Also on Friday, the Macao Special Administrative Region government held a flag-raising ceremony at Golden Lotus Square to celebrate the national day.