Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Yang Jiechi on Monday affirmed during a meeting with Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Dr. Fayssal al-Mikdad his country's support of Syria's efforts to restore the occupied Golan.

The Chinese Minister stressed the need for pushing bilateral relations forward in all fields, voicing China's appreciation of Syria's role in reaching the Doha Agreement to resolve the Lebanese crisis.

He also expressed his country's support of the indirect negotiations between Syrian and Israel through Turkey's mediation, hoping that the negotiations will lead to achieving just and comprehensive peace based on UN resolutions and the land-for-peace formula.

The Minister pointed out to the agreement in the stances of Syria and China on the situation in Iraq, underlining the importance of achieving national reconciliation and preserving Iraq's integrity of land and people.

He also praised Syria's efforts as head of the Arab Summit in bolstering Arab solidarity and supporting Arab causes, stressing the need for the UN to make efforts for solving Middle East issues.

Talks during the meeting touched on the situation in Sudan, with both sides condemning the decision of the International Criminal Court's attorney general against Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, affirming that the decision is a rude interference in Sudan's internal affairs and attempts to prevent settling the Darfur situation and peace and reconciliation between the country's north and south.

In turn, Dr. al-Mikdad gave a detailed presentation on Syria's stances regarding regional issues, affirming the need for bolstering relations between the two countries.

The meeting was attended by the Chinese Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Chinese Government's Special Envoy to the Middle East, General Director of the North Asia and West Africa Department, a number of officials at the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Syrian Ambassador in China.