Top Legislator Meets Syrian Vice-President

Li Peng, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, said Tuesday that China will, as always, make efforts to help push forward the peace process in the Middle East.

Li made the remark during a meeting with Abdul Halim Khaddam, vice-president of Syria, who is here on a five-day official visit, his seventh visit to China.

Li expounded China's stand on the mideast issue. He said that China supports the just cause of the Arab people, the just struggles of the Palestinian people to restore their legitimate national rights and Syria's efforts to recover the Golan Heights.

Khaddam said that a comprehensive and justified peace can only by achieved on the basis of relevant resolutions of the United Nations. He briefed Li on the latest developments of the Middle East situation.

China and Syria have witnessed smooth development of relations since they established diplomatic relations 45 years ago, Li said. Especially in recent years, the two sides have maintained frequent exchanges of visits by senior leaders and exchange and cooperation in various fields have kept expanding, Li said.

China is ready to promote its mutually beneficial cooperative relations with Syria on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, Li added.

Khaddam said Syria is satisfied with the development of its relations with China, and is willing to strengthen friendly cooperation with China in political, economic and other areas.






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