China and Syria announced on Friday that they will establish a “strategic partnership” after the visit of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to Beijing, where he met with President Xi Jinping.
During their meeting, President Xi Jinping stated that improving relations would mark a significant step in the history of both nations.
He expressed China’s desire to continue mutual support in matters concerning their core interests and shared concerns, emphasizing China’s support for Syria in reconstruction efforts and enhancing its capacity to combat terrorism.
Furthermore, President Xi affirmed China‘s support for a political settlement of the Syrian issue and for Syria to enhance its relations with other Arab countries.
The two countries also signed a memorandum of understanding covering cooperation in various fields, including economic development, and pledged to strengthen collaboration under the Belt and Road Initiative.
President Assad’s visit to China, his first official visit in approximately 20 years, aims to elevate bilateral relations to a “new level,” according to Beijing.
Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad described Assad’s visit to China as highly significant, representing a “new leap” in the relationship between the two nations.
He noted that Syria-China relations have significantly evolved in recent years, with China playing a prominent role on various levels in the changing international landscape, as reported by the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA).
Mekdad emphasized China’s substantial contributions to the global community, highlighting its various initiatives, including the Belt and Road Initiative, as well as its engagement in international security, humanitarianism, and economic growth.
He further added, “The United States exploits Syrian wealth and loots Syrian oil, gas, and agricultural capabilities.
According to the latest statistics provided by the Syrian Ministry of Oil, we estimate that the amount stolen by the United States from Syria, due to its theft and looting of Syrian oil and other developmental resources, has reached $115 billion.”
