Arriving in China on Thursday September 21 for a five-day visit, Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad was received on Friday by President Xi Jinping. The two leaders announced the establishment of a “strategic partnership” between the two countries. “In the face of an international situation full of instability and uncertainty, China is ready to continue to work with Syria, to support each other, promote friendly cooperation, and jointly uphold international fairness and justice”declared the Chinese president. “The Chinese side will continue to provide all possible assistance to Syria and support Syrian reconstruction and recovery efforts”says the joint press release.
“This visit is extremely important due to its timing and circumstances because a multipolar world is being formed today which will restore balance and international stability”for his part, underlined the Syrian dictator. “I thank you and I thank the Chinese government for everything you have done to stand with the Syrian people in their cause and their trials”declared Bashar Al-Assad, quoted by the official Syrian agency SANA.
This visit constitutes a new diplomatic success for Bashar Al-Assad. Banned by the international community for his bloody repression of the March 2011 uprising, and the atrocities he perpetrated during the civil war, the dictator seeks to strengthen his legitimacy on the international scene. The readmission of Syria to the Arab League in May, promoted by Saudi Arabia, was a first gesture in favor of its rehabilitation. By coming to China to meet President Xi Jinping, nineteen years after his first visit as a young head of state, Bashar Al-Assad secured the support of the second world power, which aims to strengthen its influence in the Middle East. .
For Assad, a primarily economic issue
Bashar Al-Assad is due to attend the opening ceremony of the Asian Games organized by China on Saturday in Hangzhou, this city in the South-East which is notably the headquarters of the digital company Alibaba. In addition to Xi Jinping and Bashar Al-Assad, the leaders of six countries (Cambodia, South Korea, Kuwait, Malaysia, Nepal and Timor-Leste) will also be present. On this occasion, Xi is to chair a dinner which will help bring Syria out of its diplomatic isolation.
Bashar Al-Assad arrived in China aboard an Air China plane, accompanied by his wife. On Friday, the couple visited a Buddhist temple where, according to propaganda, tourists gave them a warm welcome.
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