( Last Update: 2011/08/22)

The People's Republic of China and the Syrian Arab Republic established diplomatic relations in 1956. Over the past 50 years and more, China-Syria friendly relations witnessed steady development. The two sides maintained close exchanges at various levels and conducted friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation in political, economic, trade, cultural and other fields

The two countries maintained close political exchanges in 2010. In November, CPPCC Chairman Jia Qinglin visited Syria. He had meetings with President Bashar al-Assad, Parliament Speaker Mahamud al-Abrash and Prime Minister Mohammed Naji Otri, and held talks with Vice President of the National Progressive Front Soulaiman Qaddah. The two sides exchanged views on the bilateral ties, exchanges and cooperation between the CPPCC and the National Progressive Front, and international and regional issues of mutual interest. During Chairman Jia's visit, several bilateral cooperation documents were signed. Also in November, General Xu Caihou, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, visited Syria and met with President Assad and other Syrian leaders. In March, Li Jinjun, Vice Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, led a CPC friendship delegation to Syria and met with Abdullah al-Ahmar, Assistant General Secretary of the Baath Arab Socialist Party. The two sides exchanged views on the bilateral relations and party-to-party ties. In June, China's Special Envoy for the Middle East issue Wu Sike visited Syria and met with Vice President Farouq al-Shara. The two sides exchanged views on the bilateral ties and regional issues of mutual interest. In September, Minister of Economy and Trade Lamia Asi came to China for the 2010 China (Ningxia) International Trade and Investment Fair and the First China-Arab States Economic and Trade Forum held in Yinchuan. In May, Assistant Foreign Minister Ahmad Arnous came to China for the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China-Arab Cooperation Forum

China and Syria gave each other understanding and support on issues concerning each other's core and major interests. China showed consistent understanding and firm support for Syria's position on the Golan Heights while Syria remained committed to the one China position and rendered China staunch support on matters related to Taiwan, Tibet, Xinjiang and human rights

In the wake of the earthquake in Yushu, Qinghai Province, President Assad sent a massage of condolences to President Hu Jintao

The bilateral trade and economic relations made smooth progress. Two-way trade registered a significant increase from the 2009 figure. Mutually beneficial cooperation in energy, infrastructure development and other areas yielded good results. In September, the China-Syria Trade and Economic Joint Committee had its fourth meeting in Beijing. The two sides reached broad agreement on furthering economic and trade cooperation and signed the minutes of the meeting. In October, the two sides signed the Agreement Between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income

Friendly exchanges and cooperation in cultural, media and other fields were on the increase. In June, Minister of Culture Riyadh Agha came to China for the Second Arab Arts Festival. In October, the two sides signed the Executive Program for the Years 2010-2013 under the Cultural Agreement Between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic