China calls for lifting 'unlawful, unilateral' sanctions against Syria
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A joint statement issued by Beijing and Damascus says both sides are vehemently opposed to all kinds of hegemony and power politics.
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Syrian President Bashar al-Assad with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping (SANA)
China has urged on Friday relevant nations to swiftly eliminate all "unlawful and unilateral" sanctions imposed against Syria, state-run Chinese news agency Xinhua reported, citing a joint statement issued by Beijing and Damascus.
The statement reiterated that China opposes external interference in Syria's internal affairs, as well as undermining its security and stability and illegal military presence on Syrian territory.
It also pointed out that both parties are vehemently opposed to all kinds of hegemony and power politics, including the implementation of illegal unilateral sanctions and restrictive measures against other nations.
The joint statement comes shortly after Chinese President Xi Jinping announced earlier a "strategic partnership" with Damascus during talks with his Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
The leaders met on the eve of the Asian Games opening ceremony, which al-Assad will attend as part of his first visit to China since 2004.
"Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad on Friday jointly announced the establishment of the China-Syria strategic partnership," according to Xinhua.
Relations between the two countries "have withstood the test of international changes," Xi highlighted, stressing that "China supports Syria in opposing foreign interference, opposing unilateral bullying, safeguarding national independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity."
On his part, al-Assad thanked the Chinese government "for everything you have done to stand alongside the Syrian people in their cause and their trials," according to a readout from the Syrian state news agency SANA.
The Syrian leader indicated that "this visit is extremely important due to its timing and circumstances because a multipolar world is being formed today which will restore balance and stability to the world."
"I hope that our meeting today will lay the foundations for broad-based and long-term strategic cooperation in all areas," he added.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry has said al-Assad's visit will serve to take ties to a "new level".
Read more: Syria's Al-Assad lands in China on historic visit, marks new era
