Among foreign heads of state to attend was the Syrian President Bashar al Assad who went with his wife and family. Assad's charming wife became the star attraction wherever they went and people rushed and crushed to shake her hands and take selfies with her.
And because of the constant threat that the British and the Americans may shoot down Assad's plane or try to force it down, the Chinese government made special arrangements to provide fighter escorts to accompany the presidential plane.
Assad and his family flew to China on a special Air China B6131 plane and later returned to Damascus, again via a special aircraft. At all times four jet fighters accompanied the Syrian president's plane.
"The most interesting thing is that four countries Pakistan, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Russia cooperated with China to provide the fighter escort," wrote commentator Syed Akbar Ali in his blog.
'It is also most interesting that Saudi Arabia provided fighter escorts for the Syrian President. How things have changed. It was also a statement by Pakistan and Saudi Arabia (other than Iran and Russia) that if anyone attacked the flight (USA, Britain, NATO?) their escorts would shoot back."
"The Chinese have indeed pulled off more than just hosting a sporting event. This is quite a coup."
Beijing won the hearts of the Muslim world, long fractured by the divisive politics and deliberate strategies of the United States, when it brokered a shock peace deal between Saudi and Iran earlier this year.
That historic deal and Chinese President Xi Jinping's continued hand behind the scenes broke the ice in the Arab world, paving the way for Syria to finally rejoin the international negotiating tables and try to put an end to the years of economic and diplomatic isolation forced upon it by U.S.-imposed sanctions.
Indeed, Assad's visit carried his government's hopes of breaking further out of international isolation, following Syria’s recent readmission to the Arab League in the aftermath of the landmark Saudi-Iran rapprochement.
Amid a cratering economy, what Syrians need most is cold hard cash! Will Assad find this for his countrymen in China?
'The trip to China… presents a major moment for Damascus to garner economic support," analyst Alexander Langlois was quoted as saying by the Middle East Eye.
According to news portal Middle East Eye, President Xi appeared to go out of his way to portray Assad as a trusted and welcomed ally during his week-long trip, and the surprise announcement of a “strategic partnership” has raised expectations of closer ties.
In a direct message to the United States, Xi also exclaimed: “China urges all relevant countries to lift illegal unilateral sanctions on Syria immediately.”
“I salute your steadfastness. You defended your country with courage. We in China are closely following everything that is happening in Syria, and we are with you,” Xi was reported as saying by Middle East Eye.
"China supports Syria's opposition to foreign interference, unilateral bullying... and will support Syria's reconstruction."
Politics Now!
Comments