Syria and China issue a joint statement establishing strategic partnership relations between the two countries

Khanzhou-China (ST): After the summit meeting between President Bashar al-Assad and President Xi Jinping of the People’s Republic of China, in the Chinese city of Khanzhou, the following statement was issued regarding establishing strategic partnership relations between the two countries.

Statement text:

In response to the invitation of the President of the People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping, for the President of the Syrian Arab Republic, Bashar al-Assad, to attend the opening ceremony of the 19th Asian Games in China during the period between 22 and 25 September 2023, the presidents of the two countries held discussions in an atmosphere of friendship and affection, and exchanged views on bilateral relations between China and Syria, and international and regional issues of common interest, and they reached broad consensuses.

The presidents of the two countries expressed their high appreciation for the historical friendship existing between China and Syria and agreed that China and Syria have a relationship based on honesty and loyalty that endures in times of difficulty.

The presidents of the two countries agreed to establish strategic partnership relations between China and Syria to advance friendly cooperation in all fields in a comprehensive manner, in a way that better serves the peoples of the two countries.

First: The two sides will continue to exchange firm support on issues related to the core interests and major concerns of the other side. The Syrian side firmly adheres to the one-China principle, recognizes that the government of the People’s Republic of China is the only legitimate government representing all of China and that Taiwan is an integral part of Chinese territory, and supports China’s efforts to preserve its sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity. It categorically rejects any forces interfering in China’s internal affairs. It supports all efforts made by the Chinese government to achieve the reunification of the country. It firmly supports the Chinese position on issues related to Hong Kong and Chinese efforts to maintain national security within the framework of one country, two systems.It firmly believes that Hong Kong affairs are purely China’s internal affairs, strongly condemns the illegal actions taken by external forces to interfere in Hong Kong affairs and China’s internal affairs, and firmly supports the Chinese position on issues related to Xinjiang.

The Chinese side firmly supports the Syrian efforts to preserve the country’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, supports the Syrian people in following the development path that is in line with national conditions, supports the policies and measures taken by the Syrian government in order to maintain the country’s security, stability and development, and rejects external forces’ interference in internal affairs. It rejects the illegal military presence in Syria, the conduct of illegal military operations there, or the plundering of its natural resources by illegal means, and urges the concerned countries to immediately lift all unilateral and illegitimate sanctions on Syria.

Second: The Syrian side highly evaluates and supports with a positive attitude what the President of the People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping, proposed regarding the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative. The two sides will conduct effective cooperation to implement the above-mentioned initiatives well, and work hand in hand to build “ Belt and Road” with high quality, and make joint efforts to build a community with a shared future for mankind.

Third: The two sides are keen to deepen communication and cooperation between the two countries at the partisan, parliamentary and local levels, and to enhance the exchange of experiences on governance and administration. The two sides will enhance friendly cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, agriculture, culture, youth, media and others.

The Chinese side will continue to provide whatever assistance it can to Syria and support Syrian efforts for reconstruction and development recovery.

The Syrian side thanks the Chinese side for the political support and generous assistance it provided, and for the Chinese side’s standing up at the UN Security Council for the benefit of Syria.

The two sides agree to continue strengthening cooperation in the areas of combating terrorism and security and to combine efforts to combat terrorism.

Fourth: The Chinese side supports and welcomes Syria’s return to the League of Arab States and supports Syria in improving its relations with other Arab countries. It also supports the Arab countries in the region, including Syria, in strengthening themselves through solidarity. The Syrian side expresses high appreciation for the Chinese diplomatic efforts that have resulted in the resumption of diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran, and thanks the Chinese side for its positive contribution to finding solutions to hot issues and maintaining peace and stability in the Middle East region.

Fifth: The two sides highly evaluate the important role of the mechanism of the China-Arab Cooperation Forum in enhancing collective cooperation between China and the Arab countries, stressing their readiness to conduct active cooperation in order to implement the outcomes of the first China-Arab Summit, devote the spirit of Chinese-Arab friendship and work hand in hand to build the Chinese-Arab community for the common future towards the new era.

Sixth: The two sides support the consecration of the common values of humanity, namely peace, development, justice, equity, democracy, and freedom. They respect the right of the peoples of the world to choose development methods and social systems that are compatible with their national circumstances. They categorically oppose the politicization of the human rights issue or using it as a tool, and they categorically oppose any state interfering in the internal affairs of other countries under the pretext of democracy and human rights.

The two sides will strengthen coordination and cooperation in regional and international affairs, jointly adhere to true multilateralism, defend the international system with the United Nations as its center and the international order based on international law and the basic rules of international relations based on the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, and categorically oppose hegemony and power politics in any way, including imposing unilateral sanctions and unlawful restrictive measures on other countries, they will advance the establishment of a new type of international relations, and work hand in hand to build a community with a shared future for mankind.

K.Q.