Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad held a bilateral summit in Hangzhou, eastern China. In a joint statement, Beijing urged relevant countries to lift the unilateral sanctions imposed on Syria, opposing the illegal exploitation of Syrian natural resources, external interference in its internal affairs, and illegal military presence.
During the summit meeting, the two presidents declared that Syria and China are moving towards a strategic relationship in various fields. President Assad deemed his visit to China significant in timing and circumstances, as a multipolar world is taking shape that will restore balance and stability to the globe. President Xi described this encounter as a pivotal moment in the history of bilateral relations between the two countries in the face of internationally unstable conditions.
Assad emphasized that "China stands with the just causes of peoples, based on legal, humanitarian, and ethical principles, which form the foundation of Chinese policy in international forums, built on the independence of states, respect for the will of peoples, and the rejection of terrorism, which has played a major role in alleviating the effects of war on Syria." He pointed out that "Syria views China's constructive role on the international stage and rejects all attempts to undermine that role, and that his country opposes efforts to create tension in the South China Sea and establish regional alliances aimed at undermining stability in Southeast Asia."
He noted that "China is a large, advanced, and economically strong country, but it has not lost its humanity like other developed countries. Instead, it plays a significant role in maintaining balance in the political arena and establishes a new path of development based on cooperation and mutual benefit. Syria will remain a loyal friend of China because they share common principles, and China also has a clear vision regarding Syria and our region in general."
Assad highlighted that "there is no difference between Syria, Ukraine, and the South China Sea; the West uses these arenas to confuse countries, which is why we must confront the principle of military might with the principle of soft power built on ethics and cooperation, as recognized by China."
### Sino-Syrian Understanding
The discussions resulted in the signing of agreements and memorandums of understanding between the Syrian and Chinese governments, signed by Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mikdad, Minister of Economy and Foreign Trade Mohammad Samer al-Khalil, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and head of the National Development and Reform Commission Cheng Shanjie.
President Assad and First Lady Asma al-Assad began their visit to China on Thursday, where they received an official welcoming ceremony. Today's summit was among the main events and meetings that President Assad and Asma al-Assad will engage in over the coming days in the cities of Hangzhou and the capital Beijing, which includes meetings with several officials and attending the opening of the Asian Games.
