Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani embarked on an official visit to the People’s Republic of China on Sunday.

The visit, confirmed by Syria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, marks Minister al-Shaibani's first official trip to China. He is scheduled to hold high-level talks with senior Chinese officials to discuss bilateral relations and issues of mutual concern.

This diplomatic mission aligns with a wider push by the government of President Bashar al-Assad to normalize relations with key international players. Following a period of intense isolation stemming from the conflict that began in 2011, Syria has been gradually rebuilding its foreign ties, particularly with allies that have maintained support for the Assad regime.

China, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, has consistently called for a political solution to the Syrian conflict and has provided diplomatic and humanitarian support to Damascus. This visit is expected to build upon the "strategic partnership" between the two nations, with a focus on enhancing economic cooperation and coordinating on regional security matters.

The talks are anticipated to cover China's potential role in Syria's massive post-war reconstruction efforts, a multi-billion dollar endeavor for which Damascus is actively seeking international investment. The outcome of this visit is being closely watched as an indicator of Syria's progress in shifting its diplomatic standing on the world stage. (ILKHA)