Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad's political and media advisor, Bouthaina Shaaban, arrived in Beijing on Tuesday for talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi.

Meanwhile, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) said there are indications that China wants to keep its diplomatic options open. On the one hand, it will not support the Syrian opposition or encourage regime change. On the other hand, it anticipates the regime’s collapse and is aware of its frailty.

The visit is part of the Syrian government's attempts to maintain Chinese support.