Syrian leader expected to seek China’s support in rebuilding economy in meeting with Xi Jinping, analysts say

Syria’s economic crisis and political reconciliation to top agenda in Bashar al-Assad’s talks with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, observers say

Assad’s visit to Beijing – his first since start of Syrian civil war – comes as China takes on bigger role in Middle Eastern politics and diplomacy

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Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s trip to China will include stops in Beijing and the eastern city of Hangzhou, where the Asian Games will open on Friday. Photo: AFP

Published: 8:00pm, 20 Sep 2023Updated: 8:01pm, 20 Sep 2023

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad will begin a visit to China on Thursday, and experts said his meeting with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping would focus on the Middle Eastern country’s economic reconstruction.

Assad’s office said on Tuesday that the trip, which was “in response to an official invitation” from Xi, would include stops in the capital Beijing and the eastern city of Hangzhou, where the Asian Games will open on Friday.

The visit will be Assad’s first to Beijing since Syria’s civil war started in 2011. China has backed Damascus in the conflict but denied direct military involvement.

Wang Jin, an associate professor at the Institute of Middle East Studies at China’s Northwest University, said Assad’s meeting with Xi would focus on Syria’s economic reconstruction while also calling on Beijing to engage more in the country’s political reconciliation.

“The Syrian regime hopes China can play a more important role in pushing the reconciliation of different political factions in the country,” Wang said.

But he added the more direct reason to increase engagement with China would be to ease Syria’s economic crisis.

“Assad’s more immediate concern is the economic issue,” he said, noting that in July and August, Syria’s economic data worsened and the rate of currency devaluation accelerated.

“So it needs to be able to get further [with Beijing] to get China’s support and help, especially investment and financial support.”