According to a press release from the Syrian presidency posted on Telegram, the Chinese statesman highlighted in his letter the traditional friendship between the two countries, which have been going on for 65 years.

Syria was one of the first Arab nations to establish diplomatic relations with China, and I will work with President al-Assad to seize the anniversary of our relations this year to boost them and reach new achievements, Xi Jinping said.

The Chinese president also ratified his country’s firm support to protect Syria’s national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.

President al-Assad had received congratulatory messages from several heads of State, included Russia, Belarus, Cuba, Venezuela, Lebanon and Oman, among others.

Al-Assad won the presidential elections with 95.1 percent of the votes cast by 14,239,140 Syrians.

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