BEIJING - Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has sent a congratulatory message to Bassam al-Sabbagh on his assuming office as the minister of foreign affairs and expatriates of the Syrian Arab Republic.

In his message dated Sept 25, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that China and Syria enjoy a traditional friendship.

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In recent years, bilateral relations have been developing soundly, with the two countries supporting each other on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns, and maintaining close communication and coordination on international and regional affairs, he said.

Wang added that he would like to work with Sabbagh to implement the important consensuses reached by the two heads of state and raise the China-Syria strategic partnership to a new level.