Damascus, Syria – Syrian President Bashar Assad is set to make his first visit to China this week, highlighting China’s continued support throughout Syria’s 12-year conflict.
China has been expanding its presence in the Middle East, mediating between Saudi Arabia and Iran earlier this year and aiding Assad’s regime, which has faced international criticism for its actions in the conflict. China is also poised to play a significant role in Syria’s reconstruction efforts, which are expected to cost billions of dollars, thanks to Syria’s participation in China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
Assad has been invited by Chinese President Xi Jinping for a summit and will travel to Beijing with a high-level Syrian delegation. The Syrian economy’s deterioration, partly due to Western sanctions and control of oil fields by US-backed Kurdish-led fighters, has sparked protests in government-held areas.
Diplomatic efforts between Syria and Arab nations have gained momentum since a devastating earthquake struck Turkey and Syria in February, resulting in over 6,000 casualties in Syria. Assad’s presence at the Arab League summit in Saudi Arabia in May marked a significant diplomatic shift.
China’s consistent support for Assad is underlined by its eight vetoes at the UN to block resolutions against his government, the most recent being in July 2020. China also cooperates closely with Syrian security services regarding Chinese fighters operating in Syria, primarily in the northwestern province of Idlib.
Thousands of Uyghurs from China’s western regions have traveled to Syria since 2013 to train with the Uyghur militant group Turkistan Islamic Party and fight alongside al-Qaida, playing significant roles in various battles.