China's top political advisor Jia Qinglin on Sunday vowed to promote political, economic ties and people-to-people contact with Syria. Jia, chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, made the pledge when holding talks with Suleiman Kaddah, vice chairman of the National Progressive Front. Jia hailed the traditional friendship and current cooperation between China and Syria in political, economic, cultural and education sectors and on international affairs, saying the similar experience of the two states in history helped to facilitate mutual understanding and support. China appreciates Syria's adherence to the one-China policy and its support to China on issues related to China's core interests and major concern, Jia said. China also supports the just cause of Syria for safeguarding its national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and backs Syria in resuming the exercise of full sovereignty on the Golan Heights at an early date, Jia said. Jia suggested the two sides strengthen political exchanges and mutual trust, and expand economic and trade cooperation. 'China encourages qualified Chinese enterprises with good credits to invest or set up factories in Syria, and supports Syria to export more to China,' he said. Jia also proposed the two sides increase consultation on regional and international affairs, jointly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of the two states and of other developing countries, push for a new, fair and reasonable international political and economic order, and promote the friendly cooperation between China and Arabian and Islamic countries. Jia suggested the two nations boost exchange at people-to-people and local levels, and promote cooperation in such fields as media, culture, education, academy and tourism. Kaddah, in his turn, applauded Syria's friendship and cooperation with China, saying China is playing an important role in safeguarding the world peace. Syria appreciates China for its long-standing position of settling international disputes through dialogue and enhancing mutually beneficial cooperation among all countries, he said. Kaddah reiterated Syria's stance on issues that concern China's core interests, saying Syria will constantly abide by the one- China policy. Jia and Kaddah both pledged to promote exchanges and cooperation between the CPPCC and the National Progressive Front. Also on Sunday, Jia met Syrian President Bachar al-Assad, Prime Minister Muhammad Naji Otri and Mahmoud Abrash, president of the people's assembly. During his meeting with Otri, Jia highlighted the soaring bilateral trade and fruitful cooperation in investment, contracting business and technology. As both China and Syria are striving to deepen reform and further open up, the two sides could tap potential for mutually beneficial cooperation, especially in such sectors as infrastructure construction, telecom, energy, agriculture, tourism, transportation and environmental protection, he said. China will also take measures to settle the trade imbalance with Syria, and promote people-to-people exchange and cultural links between the two nations, Jia said. Otri appreciated China's stance of supporting the just cause of Arabian nations, saying Syria expects to learn from China's experience of development. After the meeting, Jia and Otri witnessed the signing of documents on bilateral cooperation. During their meeting on Sunday noon, Jia and Abrash both pledged to further cooperation between the two countries, which are 'good friends and partners' bearing the same task of preserving their national sovereignty and territorial integrity, boosting economy and safeguarding regional peace and stability. Jia arrived in Damascus on Friday for a five-day visit to the West Asian country. 