Assad arrives in China seeking international legitimacy
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Syrian President Bashar al-Assad arrived on Thursday in China in his first official visit since 2004 to ask for financial support for the reconstruction of Syria and to convey a sense of international legitimacy for his “regime”.
Al-Assad and other foreign leaders will meet with the Chinese president Xi Jinping in the city of Hangzhou. Later, al-Assad will also travel to Beijing.
France 24 reported, citing Lina Khatib, director of the Middle East Institute at SOAS university in London as saying, “Assad intends for his trip to China to convey a sense of international legitimacy for his regime and paint a picture of looming Chinese support for reconstruction in Syria.”
Khatib noted that the time of this visit is important as al-Assad is currently facing anti-government protests in Suwayda Governorate, southern Syria.
“It is unlikely that either (intention) will be convincing to an increasingly restive population in Sweida,” Khatib added.
On Sep.18, a senior Syrian government source, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed to North Press 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.
This visit aims to boost the Chinese-Syrian bilateral ties and to discuss ways of cooperation in the political sphere, the source said.
Lately, China’s engagement in the Middle East expanded as it brokered a deal between longtime rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran to restore relations.
This was followed by Syria’s readmission in the Arab League at a summit in Saudi Arabia in May, ending its decade-long regional isolation.