On the afternoon of September 22, 2023, President Xi Jinping met at the West Lake State Guesthouse in Hangzhou with President of Syria Bashar al-Assad who is in China to attend the opening ceremony of the 19th Asian Games. The two heads of state jointly announced the establishment of China-Syria strategic partnership.
Xi Jinping pointed out that Syria is one of the first Arab countries to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China and one of the co-sponsors of the UN General Assembly resolution that restored the New China's lawful seat in the UN. Over the past 67 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, China-Syria relations have stood the test of the changing international landscape, and the friendship between the two countries has grown ever stronger. The establishment of the strategic partnership between China and Syria will become an important milestone in the history of bilateral relations that will take the relationship to a brighter future on the basis of what has been achieved. China is ready to work with Syria to further enrich bilateral relations and promote the continuous development of the China-Syria strategic partnership.
Xi Jinping emphasized that China is ready to work with Syria to continue to firmly support each other on issues involving their respective core interests and major concerns, safeguard the common interests of the two countries and other fellow developing countries, and defend international fairness and justice. China supports Syria in opposing external interference, opposing unilateral bullying, and safeguarding national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and supports Syria in carrying out national reconstruction, strengthening capacity building for counter-terrorism, promoting a political settlement of the Syrian issue under the Syrian-led and Syrian-owned principle, improving its relations with other Arab countries, and playing a greater role in international and regional affairs. China is ready to strengthen Belt and Road cooperation with Syria, increase the import of quality agricultural products from the country, and work with Syria to effectively implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, so as to make positive contributions to regional and world peace and development.
Bashar al-Assad said that China has blazed a successful path of socialism with Chinese characteristics through its own endeavors. China always stands on the side of international fairness and justice in international affairs, stands on the side of international law and international humanitarianism, and plays an important and constructive role. He noted that the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative put forth by President Xi Jinping all aim to help all the people achieve security and development through cooperation and share a peaceful and prosperous future, and Syria highly appreciates, firmly supports and will actively participate in these initiatives. Syria sincerely congratulates China on its great achievements, thanks the Chinese government for providing the Syrian people with precious support, sternly opposes any behavior that interferes in China's internal affairs, and stands ready to be China's long-term solid friend and partner. Syria will take the establishment of Syria-China strategic partnership as an opportunity to strengthen bilateral friendly cooperation and enhance communication and coordination in international and regional affairs.
After the meeting, the two heads of state jointly witnessed the signing of multiple bilateral cooperation documents on Belt and Road cooperation, economic development exchanges, and economic and technical cooperation, among others.
The two sides issued a Joint Statement between the People's Republic of China and the Syrian Arab Republic on the Establishment of the Strategic Partnership.
Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Wang Yi, and Shen Yiqin, among others, were present at the above events.
