Syrian-Chinese talks on ways to enhance joint cooperation

Damascus (ST) – The Minister of Local Administration and Environment Lamia Shakour discussed with the Chinese Ambassador to Syria Shi Hongwei ways to enhance cooperation in the areas of developing the capabilities of administrative units, the environment, the internal transportation system, and fire brigades.

During the meeting held in the Ministry building, Minister Shakour expressed Syria’s thanks and appreciation for the Chinese aid provided to the Syrian people, especially the relief aid for those affected by the earthquake disaster.

For his part, the Chinese ambassador affirmed his country’s readiness to continue with its cooperation in various fields of mutual benefit, expressing their appreciation for the steadfastness of Syria’s leadership and people and the depth of the historical relations that bring together the two friendly peoples.

The Chinese ambassador handed over to the Ministry a device (Concrete Resistance Testing) designed for examining the structural safety for buildings, which is a sample of a group of similar devices that the Chinese Embassy in Damascus will present to the Ministry to benefit from in the operations of examining structural safety, the resistance of concrete structures and detecting damage.

Minister Shakour stressed the importance of these devices in the current stage, because of their impact on improving the performance of Syrian engineering cadres, in terms of detecting the structural integrity of buildings damaged by the earthquake and buildings and facilities that were damaged as a result of terrorist crimes in Syria.

The meeting concluded with an agreement to complete the procedures of receiving the rest of the devices, in addition to discussing the possibility of training Syrian engineering cadres on their optimal use.

Najla Khoury