On December 11, 2019, Assistant Foreign Minister Chen Xiaodong met at the Foreign Ministry with Bouthaina Shaaban, Political and Media Advisor to Syrian President, who was in China for the 2019 South-South Human Rights Forum.

Chen Xiaodong expressed, China and Syria enjoy traditional friendship, and bilateral relations have achieved new and constant development at present. The Chinese side is willing to work with the Syrian side to deepen political mutual trust, and steadily advance exchanges and cooperation in various areas. The Chinese side will continue to play a positive and constructive role in promoting the political settlement of the Syrian issue, and provide assistance for Syria's reconstruction.

Bouthaina Shaaban thanked the Chinese side's objective and fair position on the Syrian issue as well as its precious support and assistance to the Syrian side for a long time. She said, the Syrian side attaches great importance to developing relations with China, resolutely supports China's position on issues related to Xinjiang, Hong Kong and Taiwan, and stands ready to deepen cooperation with the Chinese side to realize mutual benefit and win-win results.