Jia Qinglin (R), chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, meets with Ahmad Mohammad al-Ahmad, head of a delegation from the Progressive National Front of Syria, in Beijing July 8, 2005.

China's top political advisor Jia Qinglin met Friday with a delegation from the Progressive National Front (PNF)of Syria led by Ahmad Mohammad al-Ahmad, member of the PNF Central Leadership.

Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), pointed to the deep traditional friendship and the long history of friendly contacts between the people of the two countries.

He said bilateral relations have advanced steadily and their cooperation in various fields has been fruitful since the two countries forged diplomatic ties in 1956.

He mentioned Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's visit to China last year and the important consensus on furthering bilateral relations reached between Chinese President Hu Jintao and Bashar during that visit, saying that it promoted the growth of bilateral relations to a great extent.

Jia voiced China's appreciation for Syria's adherence to the one-China position and support for China on such issues as human rights, and said China will continue to support Syria's just cause of safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The CPPCC National Committee and the PNF play vital roles in the political lives of their respective countries,in a hope that the two organizations will further strengthen exchanges and cooperation to make efforts for the development of bilateral relations.

Ahmad Mohammad al-Ahmad said that Syria-China friendship has a long history, and the two countries enjoy sound political and economic relations,smooth growth of cooperation and active people-to-people exchanges.

The friendly relations between the PNF and the CPPCC National Committee have progressed continuously and the Syrian side will make efforts for bilateral friendship and cooperation, he said.

He also reiterated Syria's one-China policy.

Source: Xinhua