President Hu Jintao and his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad on Tuesday exchanged congratulatory messages on the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

 

Hu said that Syria was one of the first Arab countries to establish diplomatic relations with China.

 

Thanks to concerted efforts from both sides, bilateral relations have developed continuously, and mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples have deepened, Hu said.

 

Strengthening traditional friendship and cooperation between the two countries is in conformity with the fundamental interests of the two peoples, and conducive to regional and global peace, stability and development, he noted.

 

China is willing to work together with Syria, with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties as a new beginning, to create a better future for Sino-Syrian friendly cooperation, Hu noted.

 

Bashar said in his message that the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries 50 years ago demonstrated the sincere desire of the two sides to strengthen friendly relations.

 

He said he was confident that the friendly cooperation between the two countries would be further developed and consolidated.

 

Also on Tuesday, Premier Wen Jiabao and Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing also sent congratulatory messages respectively to Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Naji Otri and Minister of Foreign Affairs Walid Mualem on the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

 

(Xinhua News Agency August 1, 2006)