Lebanon to strengthen cooperation with China

Lebanon's President Michel Aoun asserted Friday his country's readiness to strengthen cooperation with China in all fields.

According to a statement by the presidency media department, Aoun met with Jiang Zengwei, head of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), and discussed economic projects in Lebanon with the aim of strengthening bilateral ties.

Economy Minister Raed Khoury, former minister and head of the Fransbank Group Adnan Kassar and China's ambassador to Lebanon Wang Kejian also attended the meeting.

Jiang praised Aoun's election, saying it encourages business and "gives Chinese and Lebanese businessmen an opportunity to work together and improve ties."

Lebanon's Prime Minister Saad Hariri received later in the afternoon the Chinese delegation in presence of Kassar who commended the depth of the relations between Lebanon and China, which dates back to the 1950s.

"We call upon the government to take all measures that will encourage Chinese companies to invest in Lebanon to expand cooperation in infrastructure, and to facilitate trade and investment in new energies and vital sectors such as agriculture and finance in a way that achieves common progress and development," Kassar said.

Jiang and Kassar signed Thursday a Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of Fransbank and the CCPIT to further promote the trade relations between Lebanon and China.

According to Lebanon's official statistics, China has been Lebanon's largest trade partner for four years. Endit