Chinese President Xi Jinping made an offer to upgrade relations to a “strategic partnership” during discussions with Syria’s long-ostracized and highly sanctioned leader, Bashar al-Assad, on Friday. He said this would help Syria’s economy recover and quell internal turmoil.
Xi offers help Assad rebuild Syria: The infrequent gathering in the Chinese city of Hangzhou strengthens Assad’s efforts to regain global prominence and enables Xi to advance China’s strategic objectives in the Middle East, where it is already closely allie with Iran and Saudi Arabia.
“China supports Syria’s opposition to foreign meddling and unilateral bullying and is willing to continue working with Syria in the interests of friendly cooperation and preserving global justice and fairness,” Xi said in a message to Assad.
Chinese state media quoted Xi as saying that China, the world’s second-largest economy, will assist in rebuilding Syria.
A “strategic partnership” in Chinese diplomacy denotes stronger cooperation on domestic and foreign issues, particularly in the military. One rung below what Beijing refers to as a “comprehensive strategic partnership” is a “strategic partnership.”
Since the early stages of a civil war that began in 2011 with a crackdown on rallies and went on to kill hundreds of thousands of people and displace millions, the West has continuously increased sanctions imposed on Syria.
“Challenges and Uncertainties Surrounding Chinese Investment in Syria”
The majority of Syrian territory is now under the hands of Assad’s administration, which is backed by Russia and Iran. In recent years, Assad’s government has also restored relations with Arab neighbours that earlier supported his opponents.
Syria today has a dire need for foreign investment to improve its infrastructure and to resurrect a number of industries. Protests calling for the president’s ouster have taken place in southern Syria as a result of the severe economic condition.
The 2020 Caesar Act, which can freeze the assets of anyone dealing with what is still essentially a pariah state, can ensnare investors in any Chinese or other investment in Syria, making analysts doubt that China will make any firm commitments to aiding Syria.
Chinese investors will also need to take the nation’s weak security and dire financial circumstances into account.
Regional stability
Beijing has increased its diplomatic engagement with the Middle East in recent years, and in March it assisted in arranging a surprising agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran, two longtime adversaries in the area, to settle their seven-year diplomatic dispute.
Xi offered support for Syrian efforts to strengthen ties with other Arab nations, citing landmark projects meant to develop infrastructure along the historic Silk Road and advertise China’s strategy for international security.
As part of the Belt and Road Initiative, “China is willing to strengthen cooperation with Syria… to positively contribute to regional and global peace and development,” Xi added.
However, many predicted that Beijing would only be able to support Damascus so much beyond regaining its regional prominence.
According to Matteo Legrenzi, a professor of international affairs at Ca’Foscari University of Venice, “I don’t think China has the commitment to Syria required to lobby for the lifting of multilateral sanctions.”
That is not in line with China’s role identity in the Middle East, which is to attempt and play a role without siding with anyone.