China’s Xi Jinping meets Syria’s Bashar al Assad and announces strategic partnership

Syrian President Bashar al Assad has met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in China for “in-depth talks”, according to Chinese state media. It is Mr Assad’s first visit to the country in almost 20 years, and since the start of Syria’s 12-year civil conflict – one in which Beijing has been one of his main backers. The pair met on the sidelines of the Asian Games on Friday. Image: The two leaders holding talks in Hangzhou. Pic: SANA/Handout via Reuters China and Syria will establish a strategic partnership, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported, with President Xi describing the move as…