Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati met with Chinese President Xi Jinping at his residence in Riyadh during the Arab-China summit hosted by Saudi Arabia yesterday.
Attending the meeting were: Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Abdullah Bou Habib, Minister of Finance Youssef Khalil, Minister of Industry George Bouchikian, President Mikati's advisor and former minister Nicolas Nahas, Lebanon's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Fawzi Kabara, and Lebanon's Ambassador to China Melya Jabour.
During the meeting, the Chinese President stated that his country "appreciates Lebanon's positive contribution to enhancing cooperation between Arab countries and China," adding that "China is interested in developing cooperation with Lebanon in economic and social fields, and it continues to support Lebanon with everything it needs, particularly during this period in the area of renewable energy."
For his part, Mikati thanked China for its "effective contribution over the years in protecting stability in southern Lebanon through its active participation in UNIFIL forces," stating that "Lebanon looks forward to more Chinese investments in Lebanon, especially in the field of infrastructure, where China has extensive expertise."
Mikati expressed his hopes for "opening Chinese markets to Lebanese artisanal products" and thanked China for its "grant to fund the construction of the National Conservatory."
