He is "trying to win Chinese investment commitments to balance and diversify away from dependency on Tehran and Moscow", said Ms Vakhil. "Despite promising to mediate or hint at Syrian investment, Beijing has yet to provide Mr Al Assad with anything tangible so it will be important to see if he comes away with rhetorical or substantial support," she said. Beijing's move to invite Mr Al Assad comes as part of China's deepening engagement in the Middle East, Mona Yacoubian, senior adviser at the US Institute of Peace, told The National. "At the same time, the trip is largely symbolic. It's unclear whether there will be any concrete deliverables of note arising from the visit," she said.
