Chinese-Arab Cooperation Forum calls for preserving Syria’s sovereignty and unity, rejecting aggression on Syrian territories

The Chinese-Arab Cooperation Forum has called for commitment to preserving Syria’s sovereignty, unity and stability, and to rejecting aggression on its lands, stressing that the Syrian Arab Golan is an integral part of Syria.

In a statement at the conclusion of the work of the seventh session of the strategic political dialogue at the level of senior officials of the forum, which was held in the Chinese city of Chengdu, the participants said: “We renew our commitment to preserving Syria’s sovereignty, stability and territorial integrity and to rejecting aggression on its lands, and we welcome its return to the Arab League.”

The forum referred to the Chinese side’s support for the Arab efforts aimed at helping Syria get out of its crisis, ending the suffering of the Syrian people over the past years, and promoting appropriate conditions for the voluntary and safe return of Syrian refugees.

The forum stressed that the Palestinian issue remains a central issue, calling for finding a just, comprehensive and lasting solution to it, through ending the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories and establishing an independent Palestinian state.

The forum demanded the implementation of international legitimacy resolutions related to refugees and the protection of Palestinian civilians.

The forum indicated the continued exchange of firm support on issues related to the core interests of the other side, as the Arab countries reaffirm their unwavering commitment to the one-China principle, and support China’s efforts to preserve its sovereignty and territorial integrity, including issues related to Taiwan and Hong Kong.

The Chinese side affirmed its support for the Arab countries to solve security issues in the region through solidarity and cooperation, and its support for the Arab countries to explore their own development paths with their independent will, while the Arab side commended the efforts made by Chinese diplomacy to support Arab issues to find peaceful solutions to crises in the region.

The forum stressed the importance of concerted regional and international efforts to find political solutions to regional crises and issues, in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions and relevant agreements and references.

The forum stressed the importance of preserving water security for Arab countries, and the need for all countries sharing rivers to adhere to the applicable rules of international law, and to reach consensus in this context through dialogue, consultation and relevant understandings.

The forum pointed to the importance of continuing coordination and cooperation in order to preserve the common interests of developing countries, maintain the international order based on international law and multilateralism, reject politicization of human rights issues or use them as a tool, and reject interference in the internal affairs of other countries and unilateral economic sanctions.

During the opening session of the eighteenth session of the meeting of senior officials and the seventh session of the strategic political dialogue at the level of senior officials of the Arab-Chinese Cooperation Forum, which was held with the participation of Syria, the Chinese side and many Arab delegates welcomed Syria’s return to the Arab League and participation in its activities.

The co-head of the Syrian delegation, Director of the Department of Afro-Asian and Oceanian Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Muhammad Haj Ibrahim, expressed Syria’s deep thanks for China’s regional efforts, which contributed to pushing forward positive interactions,

Haj Ibrahim affirmed Syria’s full support for the friendly People’s Republic of China on all core issues related to its security and territorial integrity including Hong Kong and Xinjiang, and rejected all attempts to separate the island of Taiwan from the motherland China.

Hajj Ibrahim pointed to Syria’s support for all Chinese global initiatives, most notably the Belt and Road Initiative, President Xi Jinping’s initiatives on global development, global security and the Civilizations Initiative.

O. al-Mohammad