China has extended an offer to assist in the reconstruction of war-torn Syria, with Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad announcing the establishment of a strategic partnership. This significant announcement emerged during diplomatic discussions between the two leaders in the southern Chinese city of Hangzhou.
Xi Jinping expressed China’s willingness to cooperate with Syria in the interest of friendly collaboration and the promotion of international fairness and justice, particularly in light of the current unstable and uncertain global environment. He also affirmed China’s support for Syria’s stance against foreign interference and unilateral bullying, emphasizing China’s commitment to aid in Syria’s reconstruction efforts.
Furthermore, Xi Jinping outlined a series of initiatives aimed at bolstering infrastructure development along the ancient Silk Road and advancing China’s approach to global security. He stressed China’s readiness to enhance cooperation with Syria through the Belt and Road Initiative, with the aim of contributing positively to regional and global peace and development.
President Bashar al-Assad expressed gratitude to China for its support throughout the crisis and the accompanying hardships faced by Syria. His visit to China represents a concerted effort to overcome more than a decade of diplomatic isolation due to Western sanctions and to strengthen economic ties with the world’s second-largest economy.
Syria has been under Western sanctions since the outbreak of a civil war in 2011, resulting in immense human suffering, the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives, and the displacement of millions of people. In recent years, the Syrian government has regained control over most of its territory and re-established relations with Arab neighbors who had previously supported Syrian rebels.
China’s increased diplomatic engagement in the Middle East aligns with its strategy to expand global influence and present an alternative to the US-led international order. Earlier in the year, China played a pivotal role in brokering a historic deal between Saudi Arabia and Iran to resolve a seven-year diplomatic rift, further underscoring its growing presence and influence in the region.