BEIRUT - (Xinhua) China and Lebanon signed (Tuesday) an agreement to exempt holders of diplomatic, private, service and public affairs travel passports from visa requirements, according to a statement from the Chinese Embassy in Beirut.

The statement stated that the Chinese Ambassador to Beirut, Qian Minjian, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Lebanese caretaker government, Abdullah Bou Habib, signed the agreement.

He stated that the ambassador presented, during his meeting with the Lebanese minister, a presentation of the achievements and importance of the 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party.

"China will continue to adhere to the country's basic policy of opening up to the outside world, safeguarding world peace and resolutely promoting common development," Ambassador Qian said.

He added that China's high-quality development and opening up to the outside will provide new opportunities for the development of bilateral relations between China and Lebanon.

Qian stressed that China is "ready to enhance practical cooperation with Lebanon within the framework of jointly building the Belt and Road, raise the level of exchanges in various fields, and advance the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind."

In turn, the Lebanese minister affirmed that his country highly appreciates China's important role in the international community, and looks forward to maintaining friendly cooperation and close exchanges with China in various fields, and pushing forward bilateral practical cooperation to achieve more results.