Beijing, November 19th—Song Tao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee (IDCPC),met here today with a delegation of Syrian Baath Party headed by Hilal Hilal, Deputy General Secretary of the Baath Party of Syria.

Song said that China-Syria friendship enjoys a long-standing history and bilateral relations have maintained steady development since the establishment of diplomatic ties 63 years ago. The relationship between the ruling parties of China and Syria is an important link and component of the China-Syria relations. No matter how the situation changes, the exchanges between the CPC and the Baath Party of Syria have never been interrupted. At present, the situation in Syria is moving towards a political settlement. China firmly supports Syria in safeguarding national independence and territorial integrity, fighting against terrorism, carrying out economic reconstruction and returning to the track of development. It is hoped that the two sides will continue to support each other on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns, steadily carry out exchanges and cooperation in various fields and promote the further development of bilateral relations.

Song briefed on the fourth plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee, saying that this is the first time that the CPC Central Committee has conducted a special session to study the state system and governance issues and made clear requirements and specific arrangements for adhering to and improving the socialist system with Chinese characteristics and promoting the modernization of China's governance system and capacity. The CPC is ready to exchange experience and learn from each other on party governance and state administration with the Baath Party, support Syria's development path suited to its national conditions, and give full play to the political guiding role of the exchanges between the ruling parties in bilateral relations.

Hilal congratulated the CPC on the successful convening of the fourth plenary session of the 19th Central Committee. He said that even in the most difficult period in Syria, the Baath Party still pays close attention to the CPC’s practice in party governance and state administration, especially the policies and measures continuously introduced since the 18th CPC National Congress. He believed that it is the reason for the CPC to maintain its vitality. The Baath Party sincerely hopes to learn from the ruling experience of the CPC to lead the country to achieve better development. Syria thanks for China's long-term precious support and assistance, welcomes China's participation in Syria's post-war reconstruction and hopes to strengthen cooperation with China in such areas as investment, education and health, so as to inject new impetus into the development of relations between the two Parties and the two countries.

After the talks, Song and Hilal signed a memorandum of cooperation between the CPC and the Syrian Baath Party (2019-2022) on behalf of the two Parties.

Zhu Rui, Assistant-minister of the IDCPC and Chen Xiaodong, Assistant Foreign Minister were preset.

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