Syrian President Bashar al-Assad recently made an official visit to China, marking the first meeting between the two leaders in nearly two decades. This visit is of particular importance for Syria, which finds itself isolated on the international scene and in search of funds for the reconstruction of its country.
During his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Bashar al-Assad was welcomed in Hangzhou, in eastern China, on the sidelines of the Asian Games. During their meeting, Xi Jinping announced the establishment of a “strategic partnership” between China and Syria, calling this initiative an important step in the history of bilateral relations.
China, which is one of President Assad’s allies, has regularly supported Syria at the UN Security Council by abstaining from votes on resolutions antagonizing the Syrian government. Xi Jinping stressed that in the face of an international situation marked by instability and uncertainty, China is willing to continue to work with Syria, support each other, promote friendly cooperation, and jointly uphold fairness and justice at the international level.
This visit to China has an important diplomatic character for Bashar al-Assad, who generally remains confined to his country. It comes in particular following the demonstrations which recently broke out in Syria, calling for the departure of the Syrian president.
For China, this visit also demonstrates its increasingly active role in the Middle East. Indeed, China is seeking to promote its “Silk Roads” project in the region, by investing massively in infrastructure to improve trade links between Asia, Europe and Africa. Syria’s participation in this project in January 2022 opens up interesting economic prospects for the country, which has suffered greatly from massive destruction linked to war and international sanctions.
In conclusion, the meeting between Chinese Presidents Xi Jinping and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad marks a diplomatic turning point for Syria, in search of support and funds for the reconstruction of its country. It also demonstrates China’s growing commitment to the Middle East, through its “Silk Roads” project.