China welcomes Lebanon's participation in Belt and Road Initiative

China welcomes Lebanon's participation in the Belt and Road Initiative, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said here Wednesday during a meeting with his Lebanese counterpart, Joubran Bassil.

The two ministers are in the Qatari capital for the 7th Ministerial Meeting of the China-Arab Cooperation Forum, which is to open on Thursday.

The Belt and Road Initiative, which comprises the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, was announced in 2013 by Chinese President Xi Jinping. The aim is to build a trade and infrastructure network connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient Silk Road.

China and Lebanon, Wang said, should continue to support each other on issues involving their core interests and increase government contact.

Wang said China will continue to take an active part in the UN peacekeeping missions in Lebanon, and thanked Lebanon for its efforts in protecting the safety and security of Chinese entities and personnel.

For his part, Bassil said his country wants to play an active role in the Belt and Road Initiative.

He also expressed support for China's position on the South China Sea and added that Lebanon will enhance its communications with China on international and regional affairs. Endi