Syria's foreign minister begins first official visit to China

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani began his first official visit to China on Sunday, marking the latest senior-level engagement between the two countries since the fall of former president Bashar al-Assad last December.

State news agency SANA said al-Shibani would meet several senior Chinese officials.

The Syrian foreign ministry earlier confirmed that both sides would discuss ways to deepen cooperation and noted that they continue to share positions on key issues.

Al-Shibani announced the trip last month, saying relations were "back on the right track" after Beijing's previous backing of the Assad government.

He told state-run Alikhbaria TV that Damascus was working to strengthen ties with China despite Beijing's long history of supporting the ousted regime, which was toppled during the December 2024 rebel offensive that brought current President Ahmed al-Sharaa to power.

He said Syria "needs genuine strategic partnerships, especially with China, during the phase of building and reconstruction".

Al-Shibani met Chinese Ambassador Shi Hongwei in Damascus in June.

The following month, President al-Sharaa received a Chinese delegation led by Chen Weiqing, Director General of the Department of West Asian and North African Affairs at China’s foreign ministry. In February, al-Sharaa and al-Shibani held talks with another delegation headed by Hongwei at the People’s Palace, according to the Syrian presidency.

China had long been one of Assad’s strongest backers, repeatedly using its veto at the UN Security Council and upgrading relations to a strategic partnership during Assad’s 2023 visit to Beijing.

Since Assad’s removal, China has shifted its focus to supporting Syria’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity under the interim administration, and expressing readiness to assist with reconstruction. Beijing has also condemned the increase in Israeli airstrikes on Syrian territory following the rebel takeover in December 2024.