China-Syria discuss peace process amid Uyghur militant handover report

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen English + Agencies
Today 21:21

China reaffirms support for a political solution in Syria during a top-level meeting, as reports—later denied—emerge about a possible handover of Uyghur militants.

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A torn Syrian flag waves at the Syrian Defense Ministry building after Israeli airstrikes in Damascus, Syria, July 16, 2025. (AP)

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi reaffirmed Beijing’s support for a political solution in Syria during a meeting with his Syrian counterpart Asaad al-Shibani on Monday, according to a statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

Wang stated that China "supports Syria’s efforts to achieve peace as soon as possible" and encourages a path that would allow Damascus "to reintegrate into the international community and reach a national reconstruction plan through political dialogue that reflects the will of the people."

Reports on Uyghur handover denied

Amid the talks, Agence France-Presse cited a Syrian source claiming that Damascus intends to hand over Uyghur militants to China. However, Syria’s official news agency SANA later denied the report, quoting a source from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as saying that "there is no truth to what AFP reported about the Syrian government’s intention to hand over any fighters to China."

During the early years of the Syrian war, groups of Uyghur militants arrived in northwestern Syria, particularly in the countryside of Idlib and the town of Jisr al-Shughur. Many joined the Turkistan Islamic Party, an armed extremist group composed largely of Uyghur fighters from China’s Xinjiang region.

These groups have fought alongside various other armed factions and continue to operate in areas under the control of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, maintaining a degree of organizational and military autonomy.

China regards these militants as a national security threat. Beijing fears their potential return to Xinjiang could strengthen extremist and separatist groups. As a result, China has repeatedly pressured international and regional actors to address the issue.

The latest report of a possible Uyghur handover, though officially denied, comes as part of broader security discussions between Damascus and Beijing, amid Syria’s ongoing push to deepen political and economic ties with China.