In a recent article, we were able to witness a historic meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The visit marks a diplomatic turning point for Syria, which is desperate for funds to rebuild the country after years of devastating war.
This visit is all the more significant as it is the first time in almost twenty years that the Syrian president has visited China. Diplomatic relations between the two countries date back to 1956, but this visit demonstrates the desire to strengthen ties between China and Syria.
During their meeting in Hangzhou, Xi Jinping announced the creation of a “strategic partnership” between the two countries. This step is seen as a diplomatic blow for Bashar al-Assad, who is isolated on the international scene. Indeed, China is one of the Syrian president’s rare allies and has regularly given him its support at the UN Security Council.
This visit is also of economic importance for Syria. China, already very active in the Middle East, is promoting its ambitious Silk Roads project. Syria joined this project in January 2022 and hopes to benefit from significant economic investments to rebuild its infrastructure destroyed by the war.
It is important to note that this visit comes as President Assad faces protests demanding his departure. This meeting with Xi Jinping thus allows the Syrian president to show that he benefits from the support of a major country on the international scene.
In conclusion, Bashar al-Assad’s visit to China and the creation of a strategic partnership between the two countries mark a diplomatic and economic turning point for Syria. This demonstrates China’s support for the Syrian president and its desire to play an increasingly important role in the Middle East. The reconstruction of Syria and the consolidation of international relations are the major issues of this historic visit.