Chinese President Congratulates New Syrian PresidentChinese President Jiang Zemin on Tuesday sent a message of congratulation to Bashar al-Assad, the newly elected president of Syria.Jiang expressed confidence that the Syrian government and people would make new achievement under Bashar's leadership in defending state sovereignty and territorial integrity and developing national economy. Noting that the Chinese government and people highly cherish the traditional friendship with Syria, Jiang said he believed that the existing friendly cooperation between the two countries would be further strengthened and promoted during Bashar's presidency. Jiang expressed hope for prosperity and happiness of the Syrian people in his message of congratulation. Bashar, the only candidate in the day-long referendum held on Monday, is expected to be inaugurated on July 17 to succeed his father Hafez al-Assad who died of a heart attack on June 10 after ruling the country for the last three decades. |
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