Zhang is expected to meet with President Michel Aoun, Speaker Nabih
Berri and Prime Minister Saad Hariri during his two-day visit to Beirut. Upon his arrival, Zhang expressed his happiness to be in Lebanon for
the first time in 20 years, saying his visit was aimed at discussing
with Lebanese leaders ways to “further strengthen relations between the
two countries.”

He said he would also consult with Lebanese officials on “regional and international issues of mutual interest.” Zhang and the delegation of Chinese Foreign Ministry officials
accompanying him were greeted at the Beirut airport’s VIP lounge by
Chinese Ambassador Wang Kejian and officials from Lebanon’s Foreign
Ministry.

The Chinese diplomat welcomed the recent election of Aoun, saying it
had “returned the vitality of Lebanese society, and we expect a new and
strong vision for this friendly country.”Asked about Lebanon’s recent moves to begin oil and gas exploration,
Zhang said: “This is good … Lebanon enjoys natural wealth, but the
real wealth of this country lies in its human wealth, the Lebanese, who
even in the days of war did not stop business or efforts to rebuild what
was destroyed. This is something that is greatly respected and
appreciated by the Chinese and all the people in the world.”