DAMASCUS, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Xu Caihou, vice-chairman of China's Central Military Commission, discussed relations between the armies of the two countries on Monday.

Assad expressed his appreciation for China's support of Arab issues and stressed his keenness to pursuing friendly relations with China.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad (L) meets with Xu Caihou, vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission, in Damascus, capital of Syria, Nov. 8, 2010. Xu Caihou arrived in Damascus for an official visit on Nov. 7.

For his part, Xu said that China supports the just cause of the Arab states, and backs Syria's efforts to resume sovereignty over Golan Heights and to achieve a comprehensive, fair and lasting peace in the Middle East.

The senior Chinese official, who arrived in Damascus on Sunday for a three-day visit, also held talks on Monday with Syrian Defense Minister Ali Mahmoud on cooperation between the Syrian and Chinese armies.