Syria’s Assad and Kuwaiti crown prince in China signing cooperation deals

The leaders of Syria and Kuwait both signed agreements with China on Friday, further exemplifying Middle Eastern states’ desire to strengthen ties with the People’s Republic.

Receiving a lavish red carpet welcome, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad arrived in China on Thursday for his first visit since 2004, before the onset of the Syrian civil war that internationally isolated the country's leader. On Friday, Assad participated in a bilateral summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in the eastern city of Hangzhou, reported SANA, Syria’s official news outlet.

Assad and Xi announced a strategic partnership during the meeting and also signed cooperation agreements on China’s Belt and Road Initiative in addition to technology and economy, China’s official news outlet, Xinhua, reported.

The Xinhua report also mentioned Chinese support for reconstruction in Syria and improving Syria’s relations with Arab countries as well as increasing Syrian agricultural imports.