South Front
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad with China’s Special Envoy for the Middle East, Zhai Jun. Source: the Syrian Presidency Office.
On April 29, China’s Special Envoy for the Middle East, Zhai Ju, arrived in the Syrian capital, Damascus, on an official visit.
The Syrian Arab News Agency said that the Chinese envoy held talks with Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad, before meeting with President Bashar al-Assad.
The central topic during the meeting between al-Assad and Jun was the common perceptions of the bilateral relations between Syria and China within the larger landscape of China’s relationship with the countries of the Middle East and its vital role throughout this region, the state-run agency reported.
During the meeting, the Syrian president pointed out that the most significant positive change in the world had been growing the Chinese role, noting that Beijing is rising in a “calm and balanced way”.
Al-Assad added that the entire world today needs China’s, both politically and economically to rebalance the global situation.
From his side, Jun said that China views its relations with Syria from a “strategic perspective,” adding that Damascus victory against terrorism is a victory to “all countries that value their sovereignty and dignity.”
“Beijing will stand with Syria in international forums in word and deed in defense of truth and justice, and will support its battle against hegemony, terrorism and external interference,” the envoy said.
Jun also welcomed the recent rapprochement between Syria and several Arab countries, including Egypt, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia.
The visit came as Syria is working to restore its seat in the Arab League, which was frozen when the first first broke out in the country more than a decade ago, and negotiating a settlement with Turkey, a main backer of the rebels.
China has been working to increase its political engagement in the Middle East. Very recently, Beijing helped broker a breakthrough agreement that saw Saudi Arabia and Iran restoring bilateral relations. It is possible that China wants to join in with Russia and play a more active role in Syria’s ongoing talks with Arab countries and Turkey.
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