SYRIA has become the latest country to join China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative after the two nations formalised an agreement in Damascus on Wednesday.

The document was signed by Fadi al-Khalil, chairman of Syria’s Planning and International Co-operation Commission, and Chinese ambassador to Syria Feng Biao.

Mr Khalil said that Syria was already part of the initiative, which “helps it open broad horizons of co-operation with China and other countries.