Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs begins official visit to Beirut

Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Zhang Ming arrived on Friday to Beirut on a two-day official visit during which the Chinese official is scheduled to meet with President Michel Aoun, Prime Minister Saad Hariri and Speaker Nabih Berri.

This would mark Ming's second official visit to Lebanon, the first dating back twenty years ago.

The Chinese official was received at the Beirut International Airport by Ambassador of China to Lebanon and officials from Lebanon's Foreign Ministry.


"My visit today aims at holding talks with my colleagues from the Lebanese Foreign Ministry as well as Lebanese leadership on ways to enhance bilateral relations, and discussing regional and internationals issues that concern both countries," said Ming.

On another note, he praised the reinvigorated state of the Lebanese society with the election of President Michel Aoun as head of State. He added that he expected “a new and strong vision for Lebanon.”

Ming also commented on the new oil wealth discovered in Lebanon's territorial waters, noting that the true wealth of Lebanon was its people.


"The Lebanese mental capacity never ceased to work, even during the war, to find ways to rebuild what the war has destroyed. This is a thing that is greatly respected and appreciated by the Chinese and all peoples of the world," he concluded by saying.