This is Mr Bashar al-Assad’s first visit to China since 2004.
The Syrian president wants to take further steps to end more than a decade of diplomatic isolation due to sanctions from the West, according to Reuters.
Chinese media described the landing of the Syrian president’s plane in dense fog as “adding to the atmosphere of mystery”, referring to the fact that Assad has rarely been seen outside the country since the start of the Syrian civil war. .
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and First Lady Asma are welcomed by Chinese officials at Hangzhou Airport on September 21 – Photo: Reuters
The Syrian president is expected to attend the opening ceremony of the Asian Games before leading a delegation to a series of meetings in several Chinese cities.
As per the schedule, President Assad will participate in a summit with the Secretary General and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
A source in the Syrian delegation revealed that Mr Assad plans to hold talks with Mr Xi Jinping on August 22 before attending the opening ceremony of the Asian Games.
theo reuters, Appearing at a regional event will help the Syrian president gradually return to world politics.
Syria also joined China’s Belt and Road Initiative in 2022 and rejoined the 22-nation Arab League.
Syria has established diplomatic relations with China since 1956. China, like Syria’s other main allies such as Russia and Iran, maintains ties with the country.
Mr Assad currently faces sanctions from Australia, Canada, Europe, Switzerland and the US. However, multilateral sanctions efforts have not found consensus in the UN Security Council, where Russia and China are permanent members.
