On March 10, 2019, Assistant Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong paid a courtesy call on President Bashar al-Assad of Syria during his visit to Syria.

Chen Xiaodong expressed that China and Syria enjoy traditional friendship. Since the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations 63 years ago, relations between the two countries have enjoyed smooth and sound development. Attaching importance to developing relations with Syria, the Chinese side is willing to, together with the Syrian side, enhance exchanges and strengthen cooperation in various fields. Recently, the situation in Syria has shown a positive development momentum. The Chinese side believes that under the current situation, we should continue to adhere to the right direction of the political settlement of the Syrian issue, insist that the Syrian people make independent decisions about the future of their country, stick to maintaining Syria's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, and support the United Nations in consistently playing the role as the main channel for mediation.

Bashar al-Assad said that the Syrian side cherishes Syria-China friendship, and thanks the Chinese side for providing long-term support and assistance for the Syrian side. The Syrian side will firmly uphold the Look East policy, and promote relations and practical cooperation between the two countries for new progress. The Syrian side appreciates the Chinese side's consistent adherence to an objective and just stance on the Syrian issue, welcomes the Chinese side to actively participate in the reconstruction of Syria, and expects the Chinese side to play a bigger role in regional peace, stability and development.

From March 9 to 10, Assistant Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong visited Syria, during which he also respectively met and held talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Walid Muallem and Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal al-Mekdad of Syria.