BEIJING — State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Syrian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Walid Mualem on June 18 in Beijing.

“Syria is one of the first Arab countries to establish diplomatic ties with China,” Wang said, adding China will continue to firmly support Syria in safeguarding its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, fighting terrorism, restoring national security and stability as well as promoting economic reconstruction.

Under the current international situation, China and Syria should strengthen communication and coordination on international and regional issues to safeguard the common interests of the two countries and other developing countries, Wang said.

Hailing the well-developed Syria-China relations, Mualem said China is the top priority of Syria’s eastward policy. Syria stands ready to actively participate in jointly building the Belt and Road and work with other countries to oppose the unilateralism and economic bullying pursued by the United States.

After the meeting, the two ministers held a joint news conference in which Wang called for a political solution to the Syrian issue, saying “this is the inevitable way to achieve lasting peace and stability in Syria.”

Noting that the Idlib problem is attributed to the terrorist forces who have controlled the region, Wang called on all parties to abandon geopolitical considerations, strengthen coordination and resolutely crack down on terrorist organizations listed by the UN Security Council for the early realization of peace and tranquility in Syria and the region.

Steady economic reconstruction is not only the urgent demand of the Syrian people but also the basis for Syria’s sustainable development in the future, Wang said, calling the international community to attach importance to and support Syria’s reconstruction and help the Syrian people resume their normal life and production soon.

“China will always stand with the Syrian people and play a positive and constructive role in the process of resolving the Syrian issue,” he added.