China and Syria Announce Strategic Partnership

Written by Kevin Williams | September 24, 2023

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Chinese leadership welcomed Syrian President Assad in Hangzhou, China for the 19th Asian Games. President Xi is using the 15 day athletic competition as an opportunity to meet with leaders from the Middle East and Asia on home soil. Xi announced to world leaders during the event’s opening banquet that the Asian continent can be the “anchor for peace in the world.”

The Asian Games marked the first time that President Assad visited China since 2004. This visit carries special significance as Syria reenters the Arab fold as relations with its neighbors improve. The improvement of relations with both China and neighboring Arab states will likely open economic opportunities for the war-torn nation. “We believe that President Bashar Al-Assad’s visit will further develop trust and cooperation in various fields between the two countries,” noted Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning.

It should be no surprise to see the warming ties between China and Syria as earlier this year China helped broker a deal which saw Saudi Arabia and Iran reopen embassies with each other. Not only is China securing greater regional influence, but it also seeks to offer the world an alternative to an American-led international order. “In the face of an unstable and uncertain international environment, China is willing to continue to work with Syria in the interests of friendly cooperation and safeguarding international fairness and justice,” – President Xi (according to Chinese state media). The Chinese president further called for an end to the West’s “illegal” sanctions on Syria.

A desperate Syria in need of foreign investment welcomed any support it could muster. President Xi discussed several infrastructure projects to expand Syria’s involvement with the BRI, “China is willing to strengthen cooperation with Syria through the Belt and Road Initiative… to make positive contributions to regional and world peace and development.” Additionally, the Chinese leader expressed strong opposition to “foreign interference, unilateral bullying” as he committed to support Syria’s reconstruction.