Syria's Dramatic Turn: Longtime Ally Assad Embarrasses Beijing

On September 22, while attending the Asian Games in Hangzhou at the invitation of the CCP and flown in by a Chinese military aircraft, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, accompanied by his wife and children, visited Lingyin Temple, a famous Buddhist monastery in Hangzhou. (Video screenshot)

[People News] On December 8, Syrian opposition forces captured the capital, Damascus, while Syria's longtime president and a close ally of Beijing, Bashar al-Assad, fled to Russia. Reports indicate that opposition commander Ahmed al-Sharaa held overnight meetings with Prime Minister Mohammed Jalali and Vice President Faisal Mekdad to discuss the formation of a transitional government. Al Jazeera reports that the transitional government will be led by Mohammed Basheer.

This marks the culmination of a 12-day lightning offensive that abruptly ended Syria's 13-year civil war and dismantled over 50 years of brutal Assad family rule.

The rapid developments caught Beijing completely off guard, leaving Chinese officials stunned and unsure of how to respond. Syria established diplomatic relations with China in 1956, making it one of the first Arab nations to do so. In 1971, Syria played a key role in helping Beijing replace Taipei as the sole representative of China at the United Nations.

For over a decade, the CCP has attempted to cultivate proxies in the Middle East through Syria. Now, with the dramatic toppling of the statue of former President Hafez al-Assad, Bashar's father, amidst a deafening crash and clouds of dust, all of Beijing's efforts appear to have crumbled into nothing. Just a few days earlier, on December 4, state media outlet CCTV had invited Li Shaoxian, director of the China-Arab States Research Institute at Ningxia University and a so-called expert on Middle Eastern issues, to analyze the situation in Syria. At the time, Li confidently claimed that with the support of Russia and Iran, it was unlikely that Syrian opposition forces would overthrow the Assad government. That same day, he repeated this view on Phoenix TV, asserting that Iran would definitely send personnel to intervene. In line with CCP narratives and directives, experts and scholars like Li sought to enhance propaganda to portray the Party and its allies in a positive light, aiming to "brainwash" the Chinese public. However, Assad's swift downfall not only discredited these experts but also made them a laughingstock, exposing the failure of their predictions and the embarrassment of their propaganda efforts.

Assad has been sanctioned by the United States and other Western countries for his involvement in the mass killing of Syrian citizens, leaving him diplomatically isolated for years. Under his leadership, Syria's security agencies became infamous for their brutal treatment of dissenters in prison. Despite this, the CCP welcomed Assad as a distinguished guest, with some "50-cent army" propagandists hailing him as an "anti-American hero." For Beijing, Syria has been considered a key foothold for expanding its influence in the Middle East, often referred to as a "friendly nation." In September of last year, Assad was invited to attend the opening ceremony of the Asian Games in Hangzhou, where he met with Xi Jinping. That same evening, a fire broke out at Lingyin Temple, sparking speculation. Some believe this was related to the temple’s role in hosting offerings for the "fortune of the Chinese state." Others noted the unprecedented treatment Assad received: the temple’s main gates were opened, a red carpet was rolled out, and he and his family were received with the pomp of an imperial welcome. During this visit, Xi Jinping and Assad established a "strategic partnership" between their nations. This could have been driven by a shared affinity as authoritarian rulers—bonded by "mutual sympathy" or "shared struggles"—or by Beijing's strategic interests in advancing its Belt and Road Initiative in the Middle East. Beijing described Assad as a "like-minded good friend, good brother, and good partner" and praised their "trustworthy friendship forged through hardship."

Now, this chapter in history has become an international joke, with Chinese netizens mocking, “The CCP has thrown money around again in another display of false generosity,”

“The Lingyin Temple has lost its ‘spiritual power,’” and “Even the Bodhisattvas couldn’t bear to watch anymore!” Others quipped, “It worked too well—Syria is now peaceful!” and “Our old friend’s face has been thoroughly slapped.”

Some also pointed out that alliances based purely on mutual self-interest are bound to betray each other when interests diverge.

On December 9, during the CCP’s routine Foreign Ministry press conference, many foreign journalists focused on Syria's regime change and pressed for the CCP’s stance on the current situation. Questions included whether China would establish relations with the new government. The spokesperson, Mao Ning, visibly uncomfortable and possibly lacking clear directives from higher-ups, responded with vague phrases such as "concern," "hope," and "restoration." She then abruptly stated, "Syria's future and destiny should be decided by the Syrian people." This comment appeared to abandon Assad and curry favor with the opposition forces. It seems likely that CCP leadership, recognizing Assad's inevitable downfall, gave the Foreign Ministry a carefully hedged position.

A Turkish journalist asked about the Assad regime's legacy of tens of thousands of Syrian deaths and millions displaced. Noting that China had been one of Syria’s friendly nations, the reporter asked why the Assad regime collapsed so quickly and how the situation in Syria had deteriorated to its current state.

Mao Ning responded, "China’s friendly relationship with Syria is directed toward all the Syrian people. We hope Syria can achieve stability as soon as possible." This response seemed to further ingratiate the CCP with the opposition forces. However, Mao Ning avoided directly addressing whether the CCP still had contact with Assad.

Assad’s downfall serves as a stark reminder to the world: authoritarian regimes are paper tigers. Without popular support, they crumble the moment the people awaken and stand fearless. This inevitable collapse of a dictatorship is likely to have deeply alarmed the CCP.