Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday sent a message of sympathy to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad and his wife Asma al-Assad over their COVID-19 infection.

In his message, Xi said that he and his wife, Peng Liyuan, extend their sympathies and wish them both a speedy recovery. 

On behalf of the Chinese government and people, Xi voiced staunch support for the Syrian government and people in their fight against the pandemic. 

Xi expressed his belief that under President Assad's leadership, Syrian people will surely defeat COVID-19. 

(Cover: A file photo of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad (C) and his wife Asma (L) voting at a polling station during the parliamentary elections in Damascus, Syria, April 13, 2016. /CFP)