China one of only a handful of countries Syrian leader has visited since 2011; Beijing has pledged $2 billion in investments in Syria, but funds 'yet to materialize'

Trip will be Assad's first since outbreak of country's civil war 12 years ago; China could play major role in future in Syria’s reconstruction

'Home Operation' was inspired by China's 2015 operation to evacuate its citizens and other foreigners from Yemen amid civil war, but film only mentions fictional country 'Poman'