On November 24, 2017, Assistant Foreign Minister Cheng Xiaodong held talks with visiting Political and Media Advisor to the Syrian President Bouthaina Shaaban.

Chen Xiaodong said that the Chinese side values the development of its relations with Syria, and the general direction of China-Syria friendship has never changed. Recently, there have been some positive changes in the Syrian situation. It is hoped that the Syrian side could well do works in three aspects, namely counter-terrorism, dialogue and reconstruction, so as to push forward the political settlement process of the Syrian issue for constant progress. The international community should also make more efforts to this end.

Bouthaina Shaaban expressed that Syria and China enjoy a traditional friendship. The Syrian side thanks China for its fair stance and precious support on the Syrian issue, and expects China to play a greater role in the political settlement process of the Syrian issue and in Syria's reconstruction.