Assad's arrival took place aboard an Air China plane, shrouded in heavy fog, creating an air of mystery around his visit, which is remarkable given his infrequent public appearances since the onset of Syria's devastating civil war, which has claimed the lives of over half a million people.

The main purpose of Assad's visit is to attend the opening ceremony of the Asian Games, where he will be joined by more than a dozen foreign dignitaries, as confirmed by China's foreign ministry earlier.

In an official statement released on Tuesday, Assad's presidential office announced that he would be leading a senior delegation on a series of meetings in various Chinese cities. This itinerary includes a summit meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

This visit marks Bashar al-Assad's first trip to China since 2004 when he met with then-President Hu Jintao. It was a historic event as it was the first visit by a Syrian head of state to China since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two nations in 1956.

China, much like Syria's key allies Russia and Iran, has maintained its diplomatic relations with Assad's government throughout the years of international isolation. This steadfast support persisted even as other countries distanced themselves from Assad due to his harsh suppression of anti-government protests that erupted in 2011. (ILKHA)