Government source reveals details of Assad’s trip to China
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – A senior Syrian government source revealed to North Press on Monday details of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s trip to China, including information about his accompanying delegation and the agenda of the visit.
Earlier, the Syrian Presidency in Damascus said that al-Assad would travel to China on Thursday.
The source, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that al-Assad’s primary objective during his visit to China is to strengthen ties between Syria and China, and to explore opportunities for strategic partnerships that can enhance trade and investment between the two countries.
As for the delegation, the senior government source said, “The official delegation included Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad and his assistant Ayman Soussan, the Minister of Economy and Foreign Trade Muhammad Samer Khalil, the Presidential Affairs Mansour Azzam, the Special Advisers to the Presidency of the Republic, Bothina Sha’ban and Luna al-Shibl, and a number of other officials.”
The Syrian delegation is also seeking long-term support from China in the international arena, particularly in efforts to alleviate Syria’s international isolation. They also hope to garner Chinese support for their reconstruction endeavors, among other things.
The source noted that the delegation aspires to step up the economic cooperation with a number of international partners, adding that China is a key strategic partner and a leading country in infrastructure and technology.
This visit aims to boost the Chinese-Syrian bilateral ties and to discuss ways of cooperation in the political sphere, the source said.
The source further added that the delegation aims to sign memorandums of understandings with China for investment, trade, and industry.
The source noted that the visit aims also to open the door for the Chinese investment in various sectors in Syria, such as infrastructure, energy industry, and technology.