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Rabat – China has offered its help to assist in the reconstruction of war-torn Syria. Chinese President Xi Jinping and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad announced the formation of a strategic partnership during their diplomatic meetings in the southern Chinese city of Hangzhou on Friday, Al Jazeera reported earlier today.
President al-Assad’s recent rare visit to China marks a pivotal moment in his efforts to break free from over a decade of diplomatic isolation under Western sanctions while simultaneously seeking to bolster economic ties with the world’s second-largest economy.
The Western sanctions against Syria have been in place since the eruption of a devastating civil war in 2011, which has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and displaced millions. “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 emphasized during his meeting with his Syrian counterpart.
Xi Jinping further underlined China’s stance, stating: “China supports Syria’s opposition to foreign interference, unilateral bullying … and will support Syria’s reconstruction.”
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Syrian state TV quoted President al-Assad as expressing gratitude to China for standing by the Syrian people “during the crisis and suffering.” President al-Assad’s visit reflects a pivotal moment in Syria’s diplomatic reintegration, as his government now controls the majority of Syria’s territory and has successfully re-established ties with Arab neighbors that had previously supported Syrian rebels.
China’s increasing involvement in the Middle East signifies a broader strategy to expand its global influence and offer an alternative to the US-led international order. This move follows Beijing’s successful mediation in March of a historic deal between regional powerhouses Saudi Arabia and Iran, effectively ending a seven-year-long diplomatic rift.
