On June 29, 2009, Syrian Vice President Farouk al-Shara met with Wu Sike, Special Envoy of China on the Middle East Issue in Damascus, capital of Syria.

Al-Shara expressed hope that China could play a more important role on the Middle East issue. He said that the Israeli government must first of all withdraw from the occupied territories, halt the construction of new Jewish settlements and resume negotiations with parties concerned on the basis of relevant United Nations resolutions and "land for peace" so that an independent Palestinian state covering the West Bank and the Gaza Strip is ultimately built and just and comprehensive peace achieved in the Middle East.

Wu noted that Syria is a major party concerning the Middle East issue and the Chinese side admires its unique role in addressing the issue. The Middle East faces new circumstances currently. Parties concerned should seize opportunities to push for the early resumption and substantial progress of peace process and build comprehensive and just peace in the region. To that end, China expects to strengthen coordination and communications with Syria and other parties concerned on the Middle East issue.

On the same day, Wu also met with Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem and Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal al-Miqdad respectively.