China's ambassador to Syria wraps up visits to key Syrian coastal cities

China's ambassador to Syria Wang Kejian wrapped up a two-day visit to key Syrian coastal cities, during which he held meetings with officials and distributed agricultural aid.

The ambassador first visited the city of Tartous, where he was received by governor Safwan Saadi and taken on a tour to the city's museum before visiting the town of Duraykish, where he distributed agricultural aid to farmers on Thursday.

The ambassador and Saadi signed two protocols whereby the Chinese embassy grants the governorate of Tartous agricultural materials and humanitarian aid.

According to these protocols, the Chinese embassy grants vegetable seeds to about 1,100 farms and a number of wheelchairs for the wounded persons, people with disabilities and those affected by the terrorist bombings which took place in Tartous province recently.

The ambassador said that assistance in productive projects has a long-term benefit and helps to ensure a better future for the people.

He said the recent aid aims to support and develop agriculture in this area and to enhance the life conditions for the people.

Saadi, for his part, expressed gratitude to the Chinese stance in supporting the rightly cause of the Syrian people in confronting terrorism.

Wahib Muri, the chairman of the commerce chamber in Tartous, said he counts on the ambassador's visit to achieve more trade exchange between Syria and China because "China is a key partner to Syria."

On Friday, the ambassador visited the province of Latakia, where he met with governor Khodr al-Salem and discussed bilateral relations between the two countries.

The governor briefed the Chinese ambassador on the economic, agricultural and tourist situation in the province and its geographical position which makes it an important tourist destination.

Last March, Fu Cong, deputy head of the Chinese Mission to the UN at Geneva, said that through various UN agencies, China has so far provided 685 million RMB (106 million U.S. dollars) of humanitarian aids to Syria and the neighboring countries.

In addition, Fu said, while attending the G20 summit last November, Chinese President Xi Jinping also pledged 100 million U.S. dollars of humanitarian aid to various countries and international organizations.

Fu added that during the visit to the Middle East this year, President Xi also announced 230 million RMB (36 million U.S. dollars) of humanitarian assistance to Syria and other regional countries. Endit