Lebanon

Note: This column mainly includes countries along the Belt and Road and countries that have signed cooperation agreements with China on Belt and Road Initiative.

In 2013, relation between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Lebanon developed steadily and practical cooperation in various fields kept moving forward.

In November, CPPCC Vice Chairman Luo Fuhe attended the reception marking the 70th Independence Day of Lebanon. A working group from the International Department of the CPC Central Committee and a delegation from China's State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television visited Lebanon successively. Major political parties of Lebanon sent delegations to China. Some Lebanese political parties sent their key members to China for training programs or workshops.

In April, President Xi Jinping accepted the Letter of Credence submitted by the new Lebanese Ambassador to China Farid Abboud.

The two countries made solid progress in their cooperation in economy, trade, culture, education and press. In 2013, with steady increase in two-way trade from the level of 2012, China became Lebanon's top trading partner. New progress was made in bilateral cooperation in culture, education, press, arts and military fields, which enriched the friendly exchanges between the two countries. The Confucius Institute in Lebanon operated smoothly and became an important platform for teaching Chinese language and disseminating Chinese culture in Lebanon. The cultural event "Happy Spring Festival" was successfully held in Lebanon.

The two countries maintained sound communication and cooperation on international and regional issues of mutual interest, and coordinated with each other in the elections in multilateral institutions, including the United Nations.

Source: fmprc.gov.cn