Syrian media hails Sino-Syrian relations ahead of Assad's visit to China

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forthcoming visit to China shows that the Sino-Syrian relations are "always very strong" and the two peoples have been "quite active" in strengthening their cooperations, the official Damascus Radio said Tuesday.

The imminent visit is part of the president's efforts to boost Syria's role on the international arena and to strengthen its relations with other countries to win their support to the Arab right, the radio said.

China has always supported the Arab issues and insisted on implementing relevant UN resolutions to realize a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East, it stressed.

"China has defended Syria at the United Nations whenever it was under hostile campaigns," the radio said, referring to China's supportive positions to the Syrian initiatives of freeing the Middle East from weapons of mass destruction.

Syria's stance of defending China's rights and unity is, at the same time, appreciated by Beijing, the radio pointed out.

Syria's permanent UN representative in 1971 was one of those who strongly supported the resolution of restoring China's right at the United Nations as a legitimate representative of the Chinese people, it said.

"The Syrian-Chinese relations have developed at all levels since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1956," it added.

China's unique economic experience was providing developing countries, including Syria, with very important information and practical resources, it said.

Assad will pay a state visit to China from June 21 to 25 at the invitation of Chinese President Hu Jintao, which will be a first of its kind since 1956.

Source: Xinhua