China pledges support for Damascus as Syria denies reports of handing over Uighur fighters

Move follows talks between foreign ministers in Beijing

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al Shibani meets with China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing. Photo: Sana / X

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi pledged his country's support for Damascus after meeting Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al Shibani in Beijing on Monday.

The Chinese government supports Syria in “achieving peace at an early date”, co-ordinating security and development, and integrating into the international community, Mr Wang said, according to a readout from Beijing's Foreign Ministry. The country is “willing to work together with the international community to contribute to Syria's pursuit of security and stability”, he added.

Beijing will also support Syria in finding “a nation-rebuilding plan that aligns with the will of the people” through political dialogue, Mr Wang said.

Mr Al Shibani began his first official visit to China on Sunday, according to Syria's state news agency Sana. He held discussions with Mr Wang on strengthening bilateral relations and exploring ways to expand co-operation between Syria and China, Sana said. The two nations mark 70 years of diplomatic ties next year.

"Our visit to China today constitutes an important step in advancing the partnership between our countries," said Mr Al Shibani. "The discussions were constructive and opened broad prospects for supporting reconstruction efforts in Syria."

Syria is attempting to reintegrate into the international community and repair ties with key global players after decades of isolation under the former Bashar Al Assad regime.

While Beijing had been a strategic partner of the Assad government, it has adopted a more conservative approach with Syria's new authorities. Its reluctance stems in part from concerns over Syria's appointment of Uighur fighters from the Turkistan Islamic Party (TIP) in its security and defence forces.

Syria's Foreign Ministry denied on Monday it intends to hand over foreign fighters from China's Uighur minority to Beijing, as reported by AFP.

China’s UN envoy Fu Cong has repeatedly warned the UN Security Council that "foreign terrorist fighters" remain active in Syria and urged Damascus to fulfil "counter-terrorism obligations’. He has linked foreign fighters to the mass killings in Syria’s western coastal region in March and in Sweida in July.

China was the only UN Security Council member to abstain from voting on a resolution that removes Syria’s President Ahmad Al Shara from sanctions targeting members and supporters of terrorist groups. Washington had pressed the 15-member council to adopt the resolution for months as part of its broader effort to ease restrictions on Syria.

The vote came ahead of Mr Al Shara's visit to the White House, where he met US President Donald Trump. Mr Al Shara became the first Syrian head of state to visit Washington since the nation's independence.

Soon after the two leaders met, the State Department announced that the partial suspension of US sanctions on Syria under the Caesar Act would be extended for another 180 days.