This is Bashar al-Assad's first visit to China since 2004.
According to Reuters, the Syrian president wants to take further steps to end more than a decade of diplomatic isolation due to sanctions from the West.
Chinese media described the Syrian president's plane as landing in thick fog, "adding to the atmosphere of mystery", referring to the fact that Mr Assad has rarely been seen outside the country since the start of Syria's civil war.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and First Lady Asma are welcomed by Chinese officials at Hangzhou airport on September 21 - Photo: REUTERS
The Syrian president is expected to attend the opening ceremony of the Asian Games before leading a delegation to a series of meetings in several Chinese cities.
President Assad is scheduled to attend a summit with Chinese General Secretary and President Xi Jinping.
A source from the Syrian delegation revealed that Mr. Assad is expected to hold talks with Mr. Xi Jinping on August 22, before attending the opening ceremony of the Asian Games.
According to Reuters, appearing at a regional event will help the Syrian president gradually return to world politics.
Syria also joined China's Belt and Road Initiative in 2022 and was readmitted to the 22-nation Arab League.
Syria has had diplomatic relations with China since 1956. China, like Syria's other major allies such as Russia and Iran, maintains relations with the country.
Mr Assad now faces sanctions from Australia, Canada, Europe, Switzerland and the US. However, multilateral sanctions efforts have failed to gain consensus at the UN Security Council, where Russia and China are permanent members.
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