The announcement came almost five years after 48-year-old Asma al-Assad, wife of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, announced she had fully recovered from breast cancer.
Assad is facing a relatively difficult path to recovery due to her history of breast cancer, a leukemia expert told Al-Monitor, with sanctions on Damascus further complicating her treatment options.
Asma al-Assad fits China's traditional, nationalist, and sexist stereotype of the 'perfect woman'. Her image has also helped distract from her husband's oppressive regime.
The Syrian President and first lady will travel to China on the official invitation of President Xi Jinping, marking Beijing's increasing influence in the Middle East.