STORY: Syrian FM hopes for enhanced relations as Assad visits China
DATELINE: Sept. 22, 2023
LENGTH: 00:02:28
LOCATION: Damascus
CATEGORY: POLITICS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Hangzhou, China
2. various of Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad's interview with Xinhua
3. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): FAISAL MEKDAD, Syrian Foreign Minister
4. various of the building of Syrian Foreign Ministry
5. various of Hangzhou
6. SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): FAISAL MEKDAD, Syrian Foreign Minister
7. SOUNDBITE 3 (Arabic): FAISAL MEKDAD, Syrian Foreign Minister
8. various of venues of the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou

STORYLINE:

As the 19th Asian Games will kick off on Saturday, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is one of the foreign leaders who will attend the opening ceremony in China's Hangzhou. 

In an interview with Xinhua ahead of Assad's visit, Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad expressed hope that this visit will further advance the friendly relationship between the two countries. 

SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): FAISAL MEKDAD, Syrian Foreign Minister
"This visit is very important as the international situation has changed significantly. China's role has become prominent on various levels. China plays a significant role in favor of humanity and has made many initiatives in the fields, regarding not only the Belt and Road Initiative, but also initiatives related to international security, human civilization, and economic growth.
China plays a crucial role, and our relations have developed significantly in recent years."

Mekdad also expressed optimism for the future relations between China and Arab countries. 

SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): FAISAL MEKDAD, Syrian Foreign Minister 
"Chinese-Arab relations are based on mutual benefits, following the principle of 'win-win.' Through China's generous assistance to Arab countries in need, including Syria, we support Arab-Chinese cooperation frameworks, and we are very optimistic about the future of relations between Arab countries and China, especially the future of Syrian-Chinese relations."

Regarding the Asian Games, Mekdad said he's grateful for all the preparations made by China, and he expected Syrian athletes to perform well in the matches. 

SOUNDBITE 3 (Arabic): FAISAL MEKDAD, Syrian Foreign Minister
"Syria has participated in sports activities held in China and in the Asian Games in general, given that we are in West Asia and China is in East Asia. I am very optimistic that the Syrian team will be able to win several matches against the teams participating. We are grateful and feel pleased with all the preparations that the Chinese government has made for the success of the Games."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Damascus.
(XHTV)