In a significant diplomatic move, Syrian President Bashar Assad embarked on his first visit to China since 2004, marking a pivotal moment in his efforts to break free from over a decade of isolation imposed by Western sanctions. Assad's arrival in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou, shrouded in heavy fog, set the stage for a visit that Chinese state media described as shrouded in an "atmosphere of mystery."
Assad's last visit to China in 2004 was a historic moment, as he became the first Syrian head of state to visit China since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two nations in 1956. While the rest of the world distanced itself from Assad due to his brutal suppression of anti-government protests in 2011, which ultimately led to a devastating civil war claiming countless lives and causing widespread displacement, China, alongside Russia and Iran, continued to maintain diplomatic relations with Syria.
During his visit, President Assad is scheduled to attend the opening ceremony of the Asian Games on Saturday and engage in a series of meetings across various Chinese cities. The highlight of his trip will be a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday, which is expected to bolster Assad's efforts to regain international recognition.
Syria's involvement in China's Belt and Road Initiative in 2022 and its readmission into the Arab League in May have already signified steps toward restoring its international standing. However, grappling with a struggling economy and limited progress in rebuilding relationships with Arab states, Assad is eager to secure financial support. Yet, any foreign investment in Syria, including from China, carries the risk of falling under U.S. sanctions imposed by the 2020 Caesar Act, which can freeze assets of entities engaging with Syria.
Some experts believe that President Xi Jinping's willingness to host Assad is driven by China's ambition to challenge the United States and expand its influence on the global stage. This visit aligns with China's growing engagement in the Middle East, exemplified by its role in brokering the Saudi Arabia-Iran detente earlier this year.
Analysts predict that Assad's visit to China will prominently focus on securing funds for Syria's reconstruction efforts. Lina Khatib, Director of the Middle East Institute at SOAS University in London, suggests that Assad aims to leverage his trip to China to gain international legitimacy for his regime and promote the idea of Chinese support for Syria's recovery.
While Syria officially joined China's extensive Belt and Road trade and infrastructure initiative in January 2022, realizing the pledged $2 billion Chinese investments in Syria from 2017 remains a challenge. Haid Haid of the Chatham House think tank notes that these funds have yet to materialize.
As President Assad engages with President Xi Jinping and explores avenues for support, his visit to China represents a crucial chapter in Syria's quest to regain a foothold on the international stage and rebuild its war-torn nation.