Bashar Assad and his Wife in China

Analysts agree Beijing is unlikely to meaningfully invest in Syria given Damascus' lack of action following recent rapprochements with Arab nations, economic issues and prevailing corruption in Syria.

The regional diplomatic push to welcome Syria back into the fold is “more or less already dead", said Dr Shaar.

“The Assad regime has shown no signs of co-operation or interest even when it's at this point where such rapprochement can save the regime, economically at least," he said.