On the morning of September 25, 2023, Premier Li Qiang of the State Council met at the Great Hall of the People with President of Syria Bashar al-Assad who is in China to attend the opening ceremony of the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou.

Li Qiang said that China and Syria have a profound friendship, and the two countries are true friends helping each other in adversity. President Xi Jinping and President Bashar al-Assad had a fruitful meeting in Hangzhou, and jointly announced the establishment of China-Syria strategic partnership, drawing a new blueprint for and injecting new impetus into the development of bilateral relations. China is ready to work with Syria to follow through on the important common understandings reached by the two heads of state and push for new outcomes in bilateral cooperation, so as to deliver more benefits to the people of the two countries.

Li Qiang pointed out that China will continue to firmly support Syria in safeguarding national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and following a development path suited to its national conditions, and sternly oppose any external forces interfering in Syria's internal affairs. China welcomes Syria's participation in Belt and Road cooperation, will continue to support Syria in carrying out reconstruction and resuming development, and stands ready to expand bilateral economic and trade exchanges with Syria, import more quality products from Syria, strengthen people-to-people and cultural exchanges and cooperation in such fields as culture and tourism, youth and localities, and promote mutual understanding and mutual amity between the peoples. China is ready to strengthen cooperation with Syria to crack hard down on terrorism and safeguard the common security of the two sides. The world today is far from being tranquil, and the two sides should further enhance solidarity and cooperation, withstand risks, oppose hegemonism, and safeguard international fairness and justice, so as to better safeguard the common interests of the two countries and other developing countries.

Bashar al-Assad congratulated China on successfully hosting the opening ceremony of the Asian Games Hangzhou, and thanked China for providing Syria with precious help in its economic and social development, relieving the humanitarian crisis, earthquake relief and disaster rescue. Bashar al-Assad said that China plays an important role in international affairs, Syria-China relations have been increasingly consolidated, mutual trust has been constantly deepened, and Syria is deeply proud of the establishment of a strategic partnership with China. Syria supports the Belt and Road Initiative and the three global initiatives put forth by President Xi Jinping, and stands ready to work with China to implement the above initiatives, further deepen cooperation in such fields as economy and people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and safeguard the common interests of the two sides.

Wu Zhenglong was present at the meeting.