This new tracker, part of the growing Rihla Atlas initiative, provides a thorough overview of ongoing political talks between China and Syria since the fall of the Assad government as well as a compiled list of public statements by Chinese officials regarding their position on Syria. This has been a balance between vocal opposition to key actions taken by Syrian authorities around the reintegration of foreign fighters and rhetorical support for Syria’s national sovereignty and terroritorial integrity following Israel’s invasion of southern Syria and airstrikes inside Syria.
Summary
In February 2025, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa met with Chinese Ambassador Shi Hongwei at the Presidential Palace in Damascus for a bilateral engagement. This marked Syria's first public, on-record engagement with Beijing since Bashar al-Assad's ouster on December 8, 2024.
What Happened
Syria's new president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, received Chinese Ambassador Shi Hongwei at the Presidential Palace—Syria's first public, on-record engagement with Beijing since Bashar al-Assad's ouster on December 8, 2024. The Syrian state wire carried the readout and photos; no joint communique or agreements were announced. The meeting's core value was symbolic and political: it restarted an official channel with Beijing, whose embassy compound had faced looting amid the regime's collapse. The timing—roughly ten weeks after the fall—signals that both sides wanted to test the waters while avoiding premature commitments. Reporting around the meeting emphasized two subtexts: (1) China's concerns over foreign fighters (including Uyghurs) integrated into Syria's new security apparatus; and (2) Damascus's need to diversify reconstruction partners and financing windows as Arab and Western positions evolve. There was no sign of sanctions carve-outs or financing packages, and the conversation was framed as a resetting of political ties and a platform for follow-ons at ministerial and working levels.
Why It Matters
For Beijing, re-engagement hedges against instability, protects equities left over from the Assad era, and keeps options open on reconstruction projects. For Damascus, early Chinese contact helps normalize the new order and adds leverage vis-à-vis Arab, Turkish, and Western interlocutors.
Official Readout/Source
Summary
In May 2025, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa met with Chen Weiqing, Director General of the Department of West Asian & North African Affairs at the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for a bilateral engagement in Damascus. This meeting followed up on the February engagement and included discussions about political transition and investment prospects.
What Happened
In May 2025, President Ahmed al-Sharaa received Chen Weiqing, Director-General of the Chinese MFA Department of West Asian and North African Affairs, marking Beijing's first substantive diplomatic engagement with Syria's new leadership. The visit followed February's ambassadorial meeting and indicated a deliberate step toward institutionalizing relations. The Presidency's Telegram channel reported the encounter, though no official communiqués were published by either foreign ministry. Coverage noted that discussions centered on political transition, economic opportunities, and the broader regional context. Importantly, the MFA delegation coincided with a separate Chinese commercial mission, led by Zhou Ligang of AOJ-Technology, which scouted potential business opportunities in Damascus. While no agreements were concluded, the dual political and commercial track highlighted China's cautious but deliberate re-entry into Syria.
Why It Matters
For Damascus, the engagement signaled recognition by a major power and broadened its diplomatic portfolio at a sensitive stage in the transition. For Beijing, it provided an opportunity to assess the political environment, weigh economic risks, and explore avenues for limited involvement in reconstruction. The outcome was exploratory, but the visit underscored China's intent to keep Syria on its Middle East agenda while avoiding premature commitments.
Official Readout/Source
Summary
In June 2025, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani met with Chinese Ambassador Shi Hongwei in Damascus for a bilateral engagement focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors.
What Happened
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani met Chinese Ambassador Shi Hongwei at the MFA in Damascus. According to SANA's Arabic readout, the meeting focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors, with China reaffirming its support for Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Local coverage emphasized mutual condemnation of Israeli strikes on Syrian territory, aligning with China's consistent messaging at the UN. No sector-specific agreements or financing packages were announced.
Why It Matters
The meeting consolidated a steady rhythm of engagement and underscored Beijing's consistency on sovereignty and non-interference while avoiding economic commitments. For Syria, it provided diplomatic cover and projected international recognition during a fragile transition.
Official Readout/Source
Summary
In July 2025, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani met with Chinese Ambassador Shi Hongwei in Damascus, continuing a sequence of high-frequency meetings focused on bilateral cooperation and regional developments.
What Happened
At the end of July, Foreign Minister al-Shaibani again hosted Ambassador Shi Hongwei, continuing a sequence of high-frequency meetings. Reporting was sparse, but SANA highlighted coordination on bilateral cooperation and regional developments. The steady cadence—late June, late July, and early August—suggests deliberate sequencing to stabilize political ties, monitor Syria's evolving security conditions, and prepare the ground for potential higher-level contacts. The meeting produced no public deliverables.
Why It Matters
For Damascus, it showed a continued willingness to engage with China despite major issues on the table. For Beijing, the engagement kept diplomatic channels open while it assessed risks and opportunities in a volatile environment. The meeting reinforced the impression of a structured and ongoing dialogue, with both sides signaling commitment to maintain momentum even in the absence of headline agreements.
Official Readout/Source
Summary
In August 2025, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani met with Chinese Ambassador Shi Hongwei in Damascus, marking the third meeting in a six-week sequence and signaling sustained engagement at the ministerial-ambassadorial level.
What Happened
On 10 August, Minister al-Shaibani held another meeting with Ambassador Shi Hongwei in Damascus. The official readout described discussions on regional and international developments, as well as steps to deepen cooperation across multiple fields. Anadolu and SANA highlighted language reaffirming mutual interest in closer ties, although no agreements were announced. Media coverage also noted China's concerns over the presence of Uyghur fighters in Syria, underscoring a counter-terrorism dimension to Beijing's engagement. This was the third meeting in a six-week sequence, signaling an operational rhythm of sustained engagement at the ministerial–ambassadorial level.
Why It Matters
China's continued engagement aimed to reach an understanding on counterterrorism in the region, especially China's desire to see sustained efforts against the Turkistani Islamic Party in Syria — an issue that remained a major hurdle in the bilateral relationship. While no concrete outcomes have yet emerged, the consistency of these exchanges shows both governments are deliberately cultivating continuity, leaving space for sector-specific agreements once conditions permit. Both nations condemned Israeli strikes against Syria and reinforced Syria's territorial integrity and sovereignty.
Official Readout/Source
Summary
In September 2025, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani met with Chinese Ambassador Shi Hongwei in Damascus, reaffirming the established rhythm of monthly diplomatic exchanges and China's support for Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
What Happened
Foreign Minister al-Shaibani again met Ambassador Shi Hongwei in Damascus, reaffirming the established rhythm of monthly diplomatic exchanges. SANA's Arabic and English readouts stressed China's support for Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity, consistent with Beijing's regional messaging. No agreements were announced, but the meeting underscored the durability of the channel, with consecutive contacts in June, July, August, and September reflecting China's intent to maintain visibility without committing to major projects.
Why It Matters
The consistent sticking point in the relationship remains counterterrorism. Syria and China are not yet aligned, particularly over the integration of Turkistani Islamic Party fighters into Syria's Ministry of Defense. Continued engagement, however, signals incremental progress. The issue is now entangled with Security Council diplomacy: the U.S. is leading efforts to lift UN designated sanctions, and China is expected to resist. Syria needs China to abstain or support the resolution, but Beijing is unlikely to budge until it is convinced its concerns are being addressed. High-level Syria–China contact is expected to continue, suggesting that counterterrorism and UN diplomacy are converging into the central test of the bilateral relationship.
Official Readout/Source
Official Statements by Chinese Officials on Syria
Summary
MFA Spokesperson Mao Ning addressed reports of foreign fighters, including Uyghur leaders, being appointed to senior Syrian military positions. She reiterated China's position that ETIM is a UN-listed terrorist organization and emphasized the international community's obligation to oppose any legitimization of such actors.
Digging Deeper
At the December 31, 2024 press briefing, spokesperson Mao Ning was asked about reports that Syria had appointed several foreign fighters, including leaders of the Turkistan Islamic Party (TIP/ETIM, composed of Uyghur foreign fighters), to senior positions in its army. She reiterated China's long-standing position that ETIM is a UN-listed terrorist organization and should be treated as such. Mao emphasized that the international community must recognize ETIM's violent and extremist nature and firmly oppose any legitimization of such actors. This intervention underscores Beijing's zero-tolerance policy toward Uyghur-linked groups and its insistence that counterterrorism obligations under the UN system remain binding. For China, these groups represent a direct security threat, and any incorporation of them into Syria's security structures is unacceptable. While the remarks did not delve into political or humanitarian dimensions of the Syrian conflict, they highlight Beijing's core concern: counterterrorism, especially against ETIM/TIP, is a non-negotiable precondition for China's deeper engagement with Syria.
Full Statement
Summary
Ambassador Fu Cong addressed the UN Security Council on Syria, expressing "grave concerns" about reports that Syrian authorities had granted senior military positions to foreign fighters, including Uyghur leaders. He argued this undermined Syria's compliance with Council counterterrorism obligations and complicated international support for Syria's transition.
Digging Deeper
At the January 8, 2025 UN Security Council briefing on Syria, Ambassador Fu Cong explicitly addressed reports that Syrian authorities had granted senior military positions to foreign fighters, including leaders of the Turkistan Islamic Party (TIP/ETIM, comprised of Uyghur foreign fighters). Fu stated this development caused "grave concerns" for China and undermined Syria's compliance with Council counterterrorism obligations. He argued that allowing such groups to embed within Syrian state structures erodes prospects for political stability and complicates international support for Syria's transition. Fu coupled his remarks with China's familiar themes of supporting sovereignty, rejecting unilateral interference, and backing a Syrian-led political process under UNSCR 2254. However, the heart of his message was clear: counterterrorism, particularly eliminating space for Uyghur fighters under the ETIM/TIP banner, is a red line for Beijing. This linkage positions CT compliance as the determining factor for whether China will shift on sanctions relief, reconstruction cooperation, or high-level recognition of the Syrian interim government.
Full Statement
Summary
Ambassador Fu Cong reiterated Beijing's support for UNSCR 2254 as the foundation for a Syrian-led political process. He emphasized the role of the UN Special Envoy and called for international actors to support inclusive dialogue rather than impose external solutions.
Digging Deeper
On February 12, 2025, Ambassador Fu Cong addressed the Security Council on the Syrian crisis, reiterating Beijing's support for UNSCR 2254 as the foundation for a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process. He emphasized the role of the UN Special Envoy and called for international actors to support inclusive dialogue rather than impose external solutions. While Fu maintained China's traditional positions on sovereignty and non-interference, his remarks also reflected Beijing's cautious approach to the new Syrian authorities. The statement balanced support for political transition with continued emphasis on counterterrorism as a prerequisite for deeper engagement. Fu's intervention underscored China's preference for multilateral approaches to Syria while maintaining its red lines on security issues, particularly regarding foreign fighters and terrorist organizations.
Full Statement
Summary
MFA Spokesperson Mao Ning commented on Syria's political transition, expressing hope for stability and development. She reiterated China's support for Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity while calling for inclusive political dialogue.
Digging Deeper
During the March 15, 2025 press conference, spokesperson Mao Ning was asked about China's position on Syria's ongoing political transition. She expressed hope that Syria would achieve stability and development through inclusive political dialogue. Mao reiterated China's support for Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity, emphasizing Beijing's commitment to non-interference in internal affairs. The statement reflected China's cautious optimism about the transition while maintaining its traditional diplomatic principles. Mao's remarks avoided direct endorsement of specific political actors but signaled Beijing's willingness to work with whatever government emerges from the transition process, provided it meets China's security and stability requirements.
Full Statement
Summary
Ambassador Fu Cong addressed humanitarian concerns in Syria, calling for increased international assistance and support for reconstruction efforts. He emphasized the need for coordinated international action to address Syria's humanitarian needs.
Digging Deeper
At the April 3, 2025 UN Security Council briefing, Ambassador Fu Cong focused on humanitarian issues in Syria, calling for increased international assistance and support for reconstruction efforts. He emphasized the need for coordinated international action to address Syria's humanitarian needs while maintaining that such assistance should respect Syria's sovereignty. Fu's intervention marked a shift toward more constructive engagement with Syria's humanitarian challenges, suggesting Beijing's growing confidence in the new authorities' ability to manage international assistance effectively. The statement balanced humanitarian concerns with China's traditional emphasis on sovereignty and non-interference, indicating Beijing's evolving approach to Syria as the transition progresses.
Full Statement
Summary
MFA Spokesperson Mao Ning commented on Syria's economic reconstruction needs, expressing China's willingness to participate in reconstruction efforts while emphasizing the importance of security and stability for such cooperation.
Digging Deeper
During the May 8, 2025 press conference, spokesperson Mao Ning was asked about China's potential role in Syria's economic reconstruction. She expressed China's willingness to participate in reconstruction efforts while emphasizing the importance of security and stability for such cooperation. Mao's remarks indicated Beijing's growing interest in economic engagement with Syria, but with clear conditions attached. The statement reflected China's pragmatic approach to reconstruction, balancing economic opportunities with security concerns. Mao emphasized that any Chinese involvement in reconstruction would require a stable security environment and clear guarantees about the protection of Chinese investments and personnel.
Full Statement
Summary
Ambassador Fu Cong addressed Syria's counterterrorism efforts, commending progress while calling for continued international support. He emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum in the fight against terrorism.
Digging Deeper
At the June 12, 2025 UN Security Council briefing, Ambassador Fu Cong addressed Syria's counterterrorism efforts, commending progress while calling for continued international support. He emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum in the fight against terrorism and highlighted the need for coordinated international action. Fu's intervention reflected Beijing's satisfaction with Syria's counterterrorism performance under the new authorities, suggesting that China's security concerns were being addressed. The statement indicated Beijing's growing confidence in Syria's ability to maintain security and stability, which could pave the way for deeper economic and political engagement.
Full Statement
Summary
MFA Spokesperson Mao Ning commented on Syria's regional integration efforts, expressing support for Syria's return to regional organizations and calling for inclusive regional cooperation.
Digging Deeper
During the July 18, 2025 press conference, spokesperson Mao Ning commented on Syria's regional integration efforts, expressing support for Syria's return to regional organizations and calling for inclusive regional cooperation. She emphasized the importance of regional stability and cooperation in addressing common challenges. Mao's remarks reflected Beijing's support for Syria's normalization in regional affairs, indicating China's confidence in the new authorities' ability to engage constructively with regional partners. The statement underscored China's preference for multilateral approaches to regional issues and its support for Syria's reintegration into regional frameworks.
Full Statement
Summary
Ambassador Fu Cong addressed Syria's political progress, commending the transition process while calling for continued international support. He emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum in political reforms.
Digging Deeper
At the August 5, 2025 UN Security Council briefing, Ambassador Fu Cong addressed Syria's political progress, commending the transition process while calling for continued international support. He emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum in political reforms and highlighted the need for inclusive governance. Fu's intervention reflected Beijing's satisfaction with Syria's political transition, suggesting that China's concerns about stability and governance were being addressed. The statement indicated Beijing's growing confidence in Syria's political trajectory and its willingness to support the new authorities' reform efforts.
Full Statement
Summary
MFA Spokesperson Mao Ning commented on Syria's economic development, expressing optimism about reconstruction prospects while emphasizing the importance of international cooperation and investment.
Digging Deeper
During the August 22, 2025 press conference, spokesperson Mao Ning commented on Syria's economic development, expressing optimism about reconstruction prospects while emphasizing the importance of international cooperation and investment. She highlighted the potential for economic growth and development in Syria under the new authorities. Mao's remarks reflected Beijing's growing confidence in Syria's economic prospects and its willingness to explore investment opportunities. The statement underscored China's interest in participating in Syria's reconstruction while maintaining its emphasis on security and stability as prerequisites for economic engagement.
Full Statement
Summary
Fu Cong told the Security Council that Syria's stability depends on inclusive political transition, strict counterterrorism, and humanitarian relief. He reaffirmed support for the transitional authorities in pursuing a Syrian-led, Syrian-owned process under UNSCR 2254 and urged preparations for parliamentary elections. He called on donors to increase contributions and pressed for safe, unhindered aid delivery.
Digging Deeper
The most consequential element was Fu's explicit linkage of Syria's development path to its handling of foreign terrorist fighters, specifically Uyghur militants in the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM). By demanding "zero tolerance" and warning against integrating such groups into state structures, China framed CT compliance as a prerequisite for broader international recognition and relief. This reflects a hardened conditionality in Beijing's posture: it will support the transition rhetorically, but substantive cooperation—whether on sanctions, reconstruction, or investment—will hinge on visible CT action. The humanitarian appeal further reinforced China's narrative that stability rests on political inclusivity, aid, and security measures working together.