Chinese Vice President Hails China's Relations With Syria

Chinese Vice President Hu Jintao Holds Talks with Syrian First Vice President

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Visiting Chinese Vice President Hu Jintao said in Damascus Thursday, January 11, that there are great potentials for Sino-Syrian cooperation in various fields.

In a meeting with Syrian First Vice President Abdel Halim Khaddame, Hu said the Sino-Syrian relations have not only withstood the test of upheavals in the world, but also developed in a healthy and steady way.

He attributed the good relationship to a solid foundation of traditional friendship and the fact that the two countries have identical or similar views on major regional and international issues.

The personal care by leaders of both countries is another important factor in forging a sound Sino-Syrian relationship, Hu said, citing contributions by Chinese President Jiang Zemin, late Syrian leader Hafez Al-Assad and the incumbent President Bashar Al-Assad.

The Sino-Syrian relations are showing a sound trend of development in various fields, particularly in politics, trade and economy, culture and science and technology, Hu pointed out.

Khaddame said Syrian-Chinese ties can be set up as a good example of bilateral relationship.

Coordination of the two countries in international affairs is conducive not only to each country's own development, but also the promotion of cooperation among the developing countries.

After the meeting, Hu and Khaddame attended the signing ceremony of two agreements between the two governments on cooperation in technology, trade and economy.

Hu is on the second day of his three-day official visit to Syria.