Jiang made the remarks during a meeting with Vice-president Abdul Halim Khaddam of Syria. Khaddam is here on a five-day official visit to China, his seventh visit to the country.

Jiang stressed that China is a sincere friend of Arab countries and always supports the just cause of the Arab people. China also supports Syria's just demand to recover the Golan Heights.

Khaddam briefed Jiang on the latest developments in the Middle East as well as Syria's viewpoints on the peace process in the region. He said Syria will stick to peace talks as a strategy, and he hopes a comprehensive and justified peace be realized on the basis of the relevant resolutions of the United Nations.

China and Syria established full diplomatic relations in August 1956.

The vice-president said Syria admires and thanks China for its support of the Arab people's just cause, and hopes that China can play an even bigger role in the Middle East issue.

Jiang told Khaddam that China values its friendship with Syria and admires and thanks the Syrian Government's support on the issues of Taiwan and human rights. The Chinese president said China hopes to strengthen coordination and cooperation with Syria in various areas to bring bilateral relations to a higher level.

Khaddam said Syrian President Bashar Al-assad and the Syrian Government pay great attention to developing relations with China, and are satisfied with the growth of bilateral relations. He said he hopes his current visit will contribute to better cooperation between Syria and China.

(People's Daily 05/16/2001)