![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GS36YP2KQGVYFCCZOYMF5X37KE.jpg?smart=true&auth=d447f2867ae72f120ff8264713cc6d336a3ea02f0f6e3628ad37d1be5893d8c8&width=400&height=225)
Mr Al Assad is also expected to meet China's President Xi Jinping in Beijing. AP
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Syria's President Bashar Al Assad and his wife Asma arrive at Hangzhou airport, his first visit to China in two decades. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/F3XPRDEW7LERAOKNGNLCM2L62M.jpg?smart=true&auth=18efcb36ca10058f22cf8d09c1fe0bb54c1b8d3a047bb9ea7caa1bfbcc539ad5&width=400&height=225)
Mr Al Assad travelled to the eastern Chinese city for the opening ceremony of the Asian Games. Reuters
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Mr Al Assad is welcomed in Hangzhou. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SH5OYITIYNJHWU47WUITY74TE4.jpg?smart=true&auth=dd9137fab71b935a5a3de9b4c2f9c270139c5bc18393e3e80c0d7a9d9492388b&width=400&height=225)
The high-ranking Syrian delegation was to include Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad. Reuters
Mr Al Assad aims to use the visit to shore up international support. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GS36YP2KQGVYFCCZOYMF5X37KE.jpg?smart=true&auth=d447f2867ae72f120ff8264713cc6d336a3ea02f0f6e3628ad37d1be5893d8c8&width=400&height=225)
Mr Al Assad is also expected to meet China's President Xi Jinping in Beijing. AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FXHLMNNULLOMPM6HJ5YQ6D2JB4.jpg?smart=true&auth=222dfcceec644cf2271eab2c17d05cb4c602f3ccee7388597a0b525b472b8406&width=400&height=225)
Syria's President Bashar Al Assad and his wife Asma arrive at Hangzhou airport, his first visit to China in two decades. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/F3XPRDEW7LERAOKNGNLCM2L62M.jpg?smart=true&auth=18efcb36ca10058f22cf8d09c1fe0bb54c1b8d3a047bb9ea7caa1bfbcc539ad5&width=400&height=225)
Mr Al Assad travelled to the eastern Chinese city for the opening ceremony of the Asian Games. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JBDUK3JMSU7IXP5LESVTWH3JVU.jpg?smart=true&auth=f4f6cdd4714a86eb296dd1ad3fe7baaadaf76e256f1847b35ea421ae36141035&width=400&height=225)
Mr Al Assad is welcomed in Hangzhou. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SH5OYITIYNJHWU47WUITY74TE4.jpg?smart=true&auth=dd9137fab71b935a5a3de9b4c2f9c270139c5bc18393e3e80c0d7a9d9492388b&width=400&height=225)
The high-ranking Syrian delegation was to include Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad. Reuters
Mr Al Assad aims to use the visit to shore up international support. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GS36YP2KQGVYFCCZOYMF5X37KE.jpg?smart=true&auth=d447f2867ae72f120ff8264713cc6d336a3ea02f0f6e3628ad37d1be5893d8c8&width=400&height=225)
Mr Al Assad is also expected to meet China's President Xi Jinping in Beijing. AP
Syria's Bashar Al Assad to meet Xi Jinping on first China visit in almost two decades
Experts say Beijing unlikely to invest in Syria amid rampant corruption and uncertain future
Mina Aldroubi
21 September, 2023
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