Potential Roadblocks for China's Aspirations in the Middle East Amidst the Current Syrian Situation?
Hanging in the Balance: China-Syria Relations Amidst the Shadows of the Middle East
Let's dish the tea on some global politics, shall we? Recently, during a digital gabfest hosted by the Foreign Policy Research Institute, some heavy hitters dropped a bombshell.
China's Dilemma
You know those Syrian folks, the ones in the midst of… well, let's call it "the Middle Eastern mess"? China, a big-time supporter of the ousted ruler Bashar al-Assad, is now grappling with a bit of a PR nightmare. Expert Jesse Marks, a non-resident fellow at the Stimson Centre's China program and no stranger to China-Middle East relationships, said it like this: China's stuck in a deep, uncomfortable pickle in Syria.
Why? Because, coming up, Syria's gonna have a new government, one that seems to consist of UN-labeled "terrorists." Yikes!
The Syrian Civil War: A Brief Refresher
To set the stage, let's dive into Syria's ongoing civil war. The main players include the newly appointed interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, who've been busy working the room to maintain ties with China.
These diplomatic efforts have resulted in some intriguing interactions—like when al-Shaibani held talks with China’s UN Ambassador Fu Cong, expressing Syria's desire to build a long-term, strategic partnership. And let's not forget about the multiple bilateral meetings in 2025 where Syria and China discussed trade, agriculture, and political support… as well as those non-interference promises from the Chinese side.
The Nitty-Gritty
Of course, it ain't all roses and sunshine. China's staring down a few challenges:
Reputational RisksAs a result of supporting Assad in the past, China faces a significant "reputational crisis" due to the new government being packed with UN-designated militant groups. Ouch!
Counterterrorism TensionsBeijing has been putting pressure on Damascus to root out Uighur militants (Turkistan Islamic Party) operating in the region, while also treading carefully when it comes to the new leadership.
Economic InterestsChina's keeping close to the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254 on Syrian political transition, but seems more interested in…
- Expanding trade: Recent discussions have centered on agricultural investments and infrastructure projects.
- Circumventing sanctions: Syria's been trying to engage China's economic help to bypass Western sanctions, though Beijing's tangible commitments are scant.
Regional Ambitions
Last but not least, experts believe China is hoping to morph from a mere onlooker to a regional powerbroker. But Syrian governance is all over the map, and local actors remain distrustful. Add to that the complication of working with HTS-linked figures in the new Syrian government, and China's got its work cut out for it, aligning counterterrorism efforts with Western partners.
So, with new alliances to forge and risks to navigate, it's safe to say China's got its popcorn ready as it watches the Middle Eastern drama unfold. And who doesn't love a good political novel, right? Keep your eyeballs peeled for more updates! 👩💻💻👨💼💼🌿👷♂️👷♀️
- Jesse Marks, a Stimson Centre's China program fellow, stated that China is in a complicated situation regarding Syria, as the new government is reportedly composed of UN-labeled "terrorist" groups.
- Syria's new interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani have been actively working to maintain diplomatic ties with China, as evidenced by their meetings and talks.
- China is confronted with several challenges, including a potential reputational crisis, counterterrorism tensions, economic interests, and regional ambitions, in its dealings with the new Syrian government.
- China is keen on establishing itself as a regional powerbroker in the Middle East, but the unstable governance, distrust among local actors, and the need for counterterrorism cooperation with Western partners make the task difficult.
