HANGZHOU, China: Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad has embarked on an official visit to China, on Thursday, marking his first in nearly two decades.
The primary objective of his visit is to secure financial support from China, a long-standing ally, for the reconstruction of his war-torn nation.
Assad’s visit to China underscores a significant diplomatic shift in his isolation-stricken regime. Since the start of the Syrian conflict in 2011, Assad has rarely ventured beyond the Middle East.
However, he joins a growing list of leaders, including Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro, Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi, and top Russian officials, who have found Beijing’s diplomatic embrace in 2023.
As part of his visit, Assad will attend the opening ceremony of the Asian Games in Hangzhou, where he will have the opportunity to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping and other foreign leaders. These diplomatic meetings hold the promise of strengthening the ties between Syria and China.
Assad’s last visit to China dates back to 2004. Beijing has been a consistent source of diplomatic support for Damascus, especially at the United Nations Security Council, where China holds permanent membership. Chinese officials have also reciprocated by making visits to Syria over the years.
Oussama Dannoura, a political scientist based in Damascus, highlighted the significance of Assad’s visit, stating that it represents a rupture in the diplomatic isolation and political siege faced by Syria. China’s willingness to engage with nations considered isolated by Western powers challenges long-standing taboos.
China’s expanding engagement in the Middle East has played a pivotal role in reshaping the region’s dynamics. Earlier this year, Beijing brokered a historic agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran, ending their regional rivalry and reopening their embassies in each other’s capitals. This detente was followed by Syria’s return to the Arab fold at a summit in Saudi Arabia, marking the end of over a decade of regional isolation.
Analysts anticipate that Assad’s visit to China will largely focus on securing financial support for Syria’s extensive reconstruction efforts. Although Syria joined China’s Belt and Road Initiative in 2022, significant Chinese investments have yet to materialize. The visit is seen as an opportunity to convince China to play a more substantial role in Syria’s economic recovery.
Lina Khatib, Director of the Middle East Institute at SOAS, noted that Assad’s visit comes at a critical time, with protests calling for regime change taking place in southern Syria. However, the success of his intentions—conveying international legitimacy for his regime and securing Chinese support—remains uncertain.
As Syria seeks to rebuild and stabilize after years of conflict, its diplomatic ties with China and other nations could prove crucial in charting its path forward.
