On April 29, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad met in Damascus with China’s Special Envoy on the Middle East Affairs Zhai Jun, to discuss bilateral relations and the possible transformation China could bring to Syria and Southwest Asia, as part of the intensified diplomacy of peace and development sweeping across that region.
Assad stated “China’s role is a new example in politics, economy, culture, and especially as regards the fulfillment of the principle of global stability and economic presence for all. The whole world today needs China’s political and economic presence to restore the balance in the international arena,” as quoted by his Presidential office, according to the April 29 Sputnik International.
Sputnik reported further that the Syrian leader emphasized: “Russia-China relations and the activity of BRICS countries are the examples contributing to the global balance and the establishment of a multipolar world order…. Assad said that Syria sees opportunities for economic development in turning away from the dollar in favor of the Chinese yuan. The Syrian President said that BRICS countries could play a key role in this regard. Assad also positively assessed China’s mediation in the diplomatic normalization between Saudi Arabia and Iran, which would stabilize the situation in the Middle East.” Zhai Jun had just attended a meeting of deputy foreign ministers and special envoys of BRICS members in South Africa, on April 26.
The government’s Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported that “His Excellency [Assad] underlined the importance of the Belt and Road Initiative aimed at achieving development and economic cooperation.”
