China delivers food aid to Syria under the Belt and Road Initiative

China delivered 1,000 tons of rice to Syria on Monday as part of its food aid plan under the Belt and Road Initiative.

It is the first shipment of a total of 5,404 tons of rice supply to be delivered to the northwestern city of Latakia, the Chinese Embassy in Damascus said in a statement on Monday.

"China is working hand in hand with the Syrian side to secure the rice to be delivered to the Syrian people as soon as possible," the embassy said.

Chinese Ambassador to Syria Qi Qianjin said China wants to help the Syrian people in their difficult time.

"We would like, through this food aid, to help the Syrian people in the difficult time of war and this food aid is a clear sign of the firm relations and friendship between the governments and peoples of China and Syria, and we will continue to offer all humanitarian and economic help to the Syrian people," the ambassador said.

Ibrahim Khudr Salem, governor of Latakia, escorted the delegation to the port of Latakia, expressing gratitude for the Chinese food aid.

Chinese President Xi Jinping announced in May an emergency food aid project worth 2 billion yuan (around 301.4 million US dollars) to developing countries along the Belt and Road Forum Initiative.

Xi made the proposal at the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing. He also said Beijing will provide humanitarian aid worth 60 billion yuan (around 9 billion US dollars) to developing countries and international organizations under the Belt and Road framework in a bid to improve people's livelihood.

In the first half of 2017, the Chinese government signed three agreements with the Syrian government to provide humanitarian aid to Syria worth over 40 million US dollars.

(CGTN)