Syrian Assad to visit China as Xi looks to increase influence in Middle East

Although Bashar al-Assad is said to be seeking billions of dollars to help rebuild Syria after the civil war. Photo: Hassan Ammar/AP

Bashar al-Assad, the Syrian dictator, will visit China on Thursday as Beijing seeks to increase its influence in the Middle East.

The visit will be the first since the outbreak of civil war in Syria resulted in Assad visiting a country outside the Middle East rather than his key military ally Russia.

Assad's office said he had been invited by Chinese leader Xi Jinping to Thursday's summit, which will also include a delegation of senior Syrian regime officials. The Syrian leader will be accompanied by his British-born wife Asma al-Assad, regime officials added.

It was not immediately clear what the purpose of the summit was, although Assad is said to be seeking billions of dollars. dollars to help rebuild Syria after a civil war that has so far killed half a million people.

Syria has also joined China's Belt and Road Initiative, which could create opportunities for major Chinese infrastructure projects in the torn region. country at war.

Syria in economic crisis

The Assad regime is currently in the grip of a major economic crisis. crisis for which he largely blames Western sanctions, and faces a growing number of protests in some parts of the country over soaring costs of living.

As for Xi Jinping, closer ties with the Assad regime could help strengthen Beijing's influence on Middle East politics, an area in which it wants to play a larger role.

Earlier this year, China witnessed a major decline in tensions. between arch-rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran, leading to the reopening of embassies and invitations to visit each other's capitals.

Chinese officials have also expressed interest in helping resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, although there is no indication -concrete peace talks mediated by China in the near future.

Assad has rarely left Syria since the civil war began, although he has made trips to Russia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates and Oman in recent years. China has already frequently used its veto at the United Nations to stop the passage of resolutions against the Assad regime.

Middle Eastern states, especially Saudi Arabia, are keen to bring Assad back from the cold after more than a long period. decades of civil war, partly for economic reasons and growing confidence that he is unlikely to be removed from power any time soon.