By Ali Ghorban Bagheri
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s upcoming visit to China could prove a boost for Syria’s reconstruction efforts and invigorate the sanctions-hit Arab economy, says a Syrian political analyst.
Assad will visit China in the coming weeks for high-level talks on the expansion of political and economic relations between the two countries, according to reports.
The high-profile visit, the first in 12 years by the Syrian president to China, will include a meeting between Assad and Chinese President Xi Jinping, according to Arab media reports.
Kosai Abido, a Syrian political analyst and author, told the Press TV website in an interview that the visit would allow the two countries to strengthen their time-tested friendship.
“China has throughout the years defended Syria’s territorial integrity and many times used its veto power at the UN Security Council to prevent interventions in the Arab country’s internal affairs,” he stated, referring to the all-weather ties between Damascus and Beijing.
“China also backed Syria following the outbreak of the foreign-backed militancy in the country in 2011, particularly in dealing with the illegal anti-Syria sanctions. Now this visit is a good chance to deepen cooperation,” he hastened to add.
The Syrian analyst said the meeting could help spur sustainable development in Syria and bring peace and prosperity to the people.
“I believe during this trip, agreements will be signed to support the Syrian economy that can bring about sustainable development for the Syrian nation, which suffers from international terrorism supported by the US occupation, the Israeli regime and others,” he said.
The analyst said Beijing and Damascus are likely to come up with investment agreements in line with efforts to reconstruct Syria and undo the destruction caused by foreign-backed terrorists.
“Since China is considered a friendly state for Syria and has significant economic power, cooperation agreements with this country should be expanded to include food, pharmaceutical and technology sectors,” Abido noted, stressing that China could help ensure Syria’s food security at a time when conflicts including the Ukraine war have challenged the global markets.
He further stated that the visit could also help the Arab country better deal with the massive Western sanctions, notably America’s Caesar Act.
“I believe this visit will help the Syrian government with nullifying economic sanctions. The sanctions have created troubles for the Syrian people and this country needs the assistance of its allies, including Iran and Russia, to break the economic siege,” he remarked.
On what would be America’s reaction to such cooperation deals between Syria and China, Abido said Washington has tried to disrupt any agreement between Syria and Arab nations or even other countries, and new agreements would be no exception.
“Any government that wants to befriend Damascus is threatened by the US not to go forward as Washington wants Syria isolated and weak. This is what Israel wants the US to do,” he asserted.
(Translated by Alireza Hashemi)
