Syria’s Asaad al-Shaibani meets with Chinese language counterpart Wang Yi as Damascus pushes to bolster worldwide ties.
Syrian Overseas Minister Asaad al-Shaibani has pledged to deepen collaboration on “counterterrorism” with China on his first go to to Beijing for the reason that toppling of former President Bashar al-Assad final 12 months.
Al-Shaibani and Chinese language counterpart Wang Yi agreed on Monday that they’d work collectively on combating “terrorism” and on safety issues, with the highest Syrian diplomat promising that Damascus wouldn’t permit its territory for use for any actions in opposition to Chinese language pursuits, in line with Syrian state information company SANA.
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China, a former backer of al-Assad, mentioned that it hoped Syria would take “efficient measures” to fulfil its dedication, “thereby eradicating safety obstacles to the steady improvement of China-Syria relations”, in line with a Chinese language Ministry of Overseas Affairs assertion.
The destiny of the Uighur fighters who had gone to Syria after battle erupted in 2011 to battle al-Assad’s forces, with many becoming a member of the Uighur-dominated Turkistan Islamic Get together (TIP) primarily based in Idlib province, was anticipated to be on al-Shaibani’s agenda in Beijing.
A supply from the Ministry of Overseas Affairs and Expatriates in Damascus denied a report by information company AFP that cited unidentified sources as saying the Syrian authorities deliberate at hand over 400 fighters who had fled persecution in China “in batches”.
The “report relating to the Syrian authorities’s intention at hand over fighters to China is with out basis”, mentioned the supply in a short assertion to SANA.
Through the assembly in Beijing, al-Shaibani additionally gave his nation’s help for the one China precept, establishing formal diplomatic ties with the Chinese language authorities, reasonably than with Taiwan, as the only authorized consultant of the territory.
Wang, for his half, acknowledged that China seen the Golan Heights as Syrian territory. Israel occupied a portion of the territory in 1967 and subsequently annexed it in violation of worldwide legislation.
Since al-Assad’s fall in December 2024, Israel has been increasing its occupation into southern Syria, together with a United Nations-monitored buffer zone established by a 1974 ceasefire settlement.
On Monday, Damascus and Beijing expressed curiosity in increasing collaboration on financial improvement, Syria’s reconstruction, and elevating residing requirements, highlighting the position of the China-Arab Cooperation Discussion board as a foundation for bilateral collaboration, mentioned SANA.
Al-Shaibani’s go to to China comes as Damascus pushes to rebuild its diplomatic ties around the globe, with some beautiful successes, together with securing sanction reduction from the West and main Gulf investments, giving the nation a much-needed financial lifeline.
Earlier this month, President Ahmed al-Sharaa turned the first-ever Syrian chief to go to the White Home for the reason that nation’s independence in 1946. Syria additionally joined a US-led worldwide coalition to battle ISIL (ISIS).
In October, al-Sharaa advised Russia’s President Vladimir Putin throughout a visit to Moscow that he sought to “restore and redefine ties” between the 2 international locations.
Nonetheless, there was no point out after that assembly of whether or not Moscow would hand over al-Assad, who fled to Russia after his authorities fell as a consequence of an offensive by armed opposition teams led by al-Sharaa.
For the reason that collapse of the al-Assad authorities, Russia has retained a presence at its air and naval bases on the Syrian coast. Moscow was certainly one of al-Assad’s prime backers and offered air help for presidency forces throughout the battle.
However al-Shraa’s authorities seems to be ready to forge relations with allies of the previous regime, as highlighted by al-Shaibani’s talks in Beijing on Monday.
