On March 10, 2021, President Xi Jinping sent a sympathy message to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on the COVID-19 infection of the president and his wife.

Xi Jinping said in the sympathy message that he learns Mr. President and Ms. Asma Fawaz al-Assad are infected with COVID-19 and he and his wife Peng Liyuan would like to extend their sincere sympathy to and wish President Bashar al-Assad and his wife a speedy recovery. The Chinese government and people firmly support the Syrian government and people in fighting against the pandemic, and believe that under the leadership of President Bashar al-Assad, the Syrian people will surely defeat the virus.