Xi and Assad met in the eastern Chinese city on Friday afternoon, state media said.

"Today, we will jointly announce the establishment of the China-Syria strategic partnership, which will become an important milestone in the history of bilateral relations," Xi told Assad, according to a readout from state broadcaster CCTV.

"Faced with an international situation full of instability and uncertainty, China is willing to continue to work together with Syria, firmly support each other, promote friendly cooperation, and jointly defend international fairness and justice," he added.

Relations between the two countries "have withstood the test of international changes", Xi said.

"And the friendship between the two countries has been strengthened over time," he added, France 24 reported.

MNA/PR