Xi pledges to help Syria

Strengthening ties: Xi shaking hands with Bashar during their meeting in Hangzhou. — Reuters

BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping has offered to help Syria rebuild its shattered economy and counter domestic unrest during talks with its long ostracised and heavily sanctioned leader, Bashar al-Assad, by upgrading ties to a “strategic partnership”.

The meeting in Hangzhou boosts Bashar’s campaign to return to the global stage while allowing Xi to advance China’s strategic interests in the Middle East, where it is already aligned with Iran and Saudi Arabia.