国内英语新闻:Chinese top political advisor vows to boost ties with Syria

Also on Sunday, Jia met Syrian President Bachar al-Assad, Prime Minister Muhammad Naji Otri and Mahmoud Abrash, president of the people's assembly.

During his meeting with Otri, Jia highlighted the soaring bilateral trade and fruitful cooperation in investment, contracting business and technology.

As both China and Syria are striving to deepen reform and further open up, the two sides could tap potential for mutually beneficial cooperation, especially in such sectors as infrastructure construction, telecom, energy, agriculture, tourism, transportation and environmental protection, he said.

China will also take measures to settle the trade imbalance with Syria, and promote people-to-people exchange and cultural links between the two nations, Jia said.

Otri appreciated China's stance of supporting the just cause of Arabian nations, saying Syria expects to learn from China's experience of development.

After the meeting, Jia and Otri witnessed the signing of documents on bilateral cooperation.

During their meeting on Sunday noon, Jia and Abrash both pledged to further cooperation between the two countries, which are "good friends and partners" bearing the same task of preserving their national sovereignty and territorial integrity, boosting economy and safeguarding regional peace and stability.

Jia arrived in Damascus on Friday for a five-day visit to the West Asian country.