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Members of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation are expected to suspend Syria's membership from the group later on Wednesday.
Leaders from the 57 member body arrived in Mecca, Saudi Arabia for the summit late Tuesday.
The civil war in Syria has divided Muslim countries along sectarian lines with Sunni-led Arab states and Turkey backing Syria's rebels, and Shi'ite Iran led supporting Assad, who is a member of the Alawite minority sect, an offshoot of Shi'a Islam.
In Beijing, al-Assad's special envoy is expected to hold meetings with the Chinese officials.
China has been widely criticised by the West and many Arab nations for vetoing UN sanctions against Syria.
