“Syrian President Bashar al-Assad recently embarked on a state visit to China, his first visit to the country since 2004.

Assad has hailed the global initiatives proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping and believes they have set new norms for the world, as the old international order undergoes a major period of transition.

He also hailed the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative as an important vehicle for world peace and development which helps build moral and cultural ties between participating countries.

Assad discussed the severe situation facing his country as the 12-year-long conflict continues, with Western sanctions continuing to pile more economic misery on the Syrian people.

Assad says his country is looking to learn valuable insights from China’s successful development experience which focuses on combining technological and social development, as many Western models have proven “counterproductive” in the region.

Meanwhile, Assad has hailed China’s “pragmatic” foreign policy approach which has helped deliver results and stands in stark contrast to the “empty words” of the West, citing the country’s role in the restoration of ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran together, a move that heralds more peace in the conflict-ridden Middle East.

On the other hand, Assad says the growing emergence of the Chinese currency renminbi, or the yuan, can offer a “remedy” to the negative influence brought by the global hegemony of the U.S. dollar.”