Syrian FM to make first official visit to China in early November

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani has announced his upcoming official visit to China in early November, reiterating that relations were "back on the right track" following Beijing's previous alliance with the former regime of Bashar al-Assad. 

In an interview with the state-run Alikhbaria TV, al-Shibani confirmed that the visit would take place at the invitation of Beijing, adding that the government was working to advance bilateral relations despite China’s prior support for the ousted Assad regime, which was removed in the December 2024 rebel offensive led by current President Ahmed al-Sharaa.  

"We have redefined our relationship with China, which had politically supported the former regime of Bashar al-Assad and used its veto power on his behalf," al-Shibani told Alikhbaria TV. 

Al-Shibani said that Syria had required China’s support for reconstruction at this stage, marking a shift in Beijing’s newly established relationship with the Arab nation’s new administration.  

He noted that the upcoming visit to Beijing aims to "discuss areas of economic cooperation and China’s contribution to the reconstruction of Syria".

He added that Damascus "needs genuine strategic partnerships – especially with China – during the phase of building and reconstruction".

Previously, Beijing had maintained political support for Assad, using its veto power at the UN on behalf of his regime and upgrading ties to a "strategic partnership" during Assad’s visit to China in 2023. 

Al-Shibani also addressed relations with Russia, another long-time ally and major supporter of the Assad regime, saying that Moscow has continued to suspend previous agreements made with the former government and that no new deals have been signed.  

“Our engagement with Russia has been gradual. No new agreements have been signed, and the agreements concluded between Russia and the former regime remain suspended—we do not accept them,” al-Shibani said. 

Following President al-Sharaa’s recent visit to Moscow- the first since taking office- the Syrian foreign minister described Russia’s past involvement as a key regime backer which "participated in the tragedy of the Syrians before the Battle of Deterrence of Aggression (the offensive to overthrow the ousted Assad regime)."

Al-Shibani also expressed Syria’s intention to restore relations with Lebanon, as he told Alikhbaria TV: "There is a legacy we are not part of and for which we bear no responsibility," adding that "the previous regime conveyed a negative image of Lebanon and its people that does not reflect Syrian civilisation."

He further pointed out that the issue of detainees held between Syria and Lebanon was "among the priorities of the recent visit to Beirut," where the foreign minister conducted the first official visit to the neighbouring Arab state last week following the fall of Assad.  

On Tuesday, Syria’s Justice Minister Mazhar al-Wais visited the Lebanese capital to discuss with his Lebanese counterpart the legal status of Syrian detainees held in Lebanon, with Arab media reports indicating there are "more than 2,100 Syrian detainees" in Lebanon’s prisons, which accounted for around 30 percent of the country’s prison population. 

Alongside joint efforts to address the status of Syrian nationals detained in Lebanese prisons, the two countries have been working to rebuild strained relations by seeking solutions to enhance border security, locate Lebanese citizens missing in Syria for years and facilitate the return of Syrian refugees. 

Regarding the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), he told Alikhbaria TV: "We have succeeded in convincing the countries concerned that the only solution is the March 10 agreement, because the absence of SDF representation within state institutions deepens the divide between them and the state."

“There is a historic opportunity for northeastern Syria to play an active role at this stage," the minister said, emphasising that “partnership with the SDF should be finalised as soon as possible."

This follows an agreement between the Syrian government and the SDF to integrate civil and military institutions in northeastern Syria under the framework of state administration. 

Al-Shibani also addressed Israel’s repeated attacks on Syria, which have intensified since the ousting of Assad’s regime. 

 The foreign minister said: "Tel Aviv sought to impose a new reality and an expansionist project, exploiting the political changes in the country."

He added that "Israel has an expansionist agenda, and its actions only reinforce instability in Syria and the wider region."

He concluded by affirming, "We reject any form of partition or federalisation- this is not a matter open for discussion or negotiation."

In addition to repeated Israeli attacks on Syrian territory, Syria continues to grapple with numerous challenges in recent months, including economic hardship and renewed violence in Suweida.