{"id":2023,"date":"2021-03-24T00:35:58","date_gmt":"2021-03-23T21:35:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/opc.center\/an-overview-of-chinas-role-in-the-syrian-conflict\/"},"modified":"2021-05-18T23:29:36","modified_gmt":"2021-05-18T20:29:36","slug":"an-overview-of-chinas-role-in-the-syrian-conflict","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/opc.center\/ar\/an-overview-of-chinas-role-in-the-syrian-conflict\/","title":{"rendered":"\u0627\u0644\u062a\u0646\u064a\u0646 \u0627\u0644\u0623\u062d\u0645\u0631 \u0641\u064a \u0623\u0631\u0636 \u0627\u0644\u064a\u0627\u0633\u0645\u064a\u0646: \u0646\u0638\u0631\u0629 \u0639\u0627\u0645\u0629 \u0639\u0644\u0649 \u062f\u0648\u0631 \u0627\u0644\u0635\u064a\u0646 \u0641\u064a \u0627\u0644\u0635\u0631\u0627\u0639 \u0627\u0644\u0633\u0648\u0631\u064a"},"content":{"rendered":"\n[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”|||0px|false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”|||80px|false|false” custom_margin_phone=”|||40px|false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” locked=”off”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||-2px|||” custom_padding=”||||false|false”]
Samy Akil <\/a>, Karam Shaar<\/a><\/blockquote>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_image src=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9mZWF0dXJlZF9pbWFnZSIsInNldHRpbmdzIjp7fX0=@” _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _dynamic_attributes=”src” _module_preset=”default” width=”75%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”100%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” module_alignment=”center”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_divider color=”#e2c2bc” divider_position=”center” divider_weight=”4px” _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||15px||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text ol_type=”upper-alpha” ol_item_indent=”24px” _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default” ol_text_color=”#800020″ custom_margin=”||5px||false|false”]

Contents<\/h1>\n \n

Executive Summary <\/a><\/h3>\n

Introduction <\/a><\/h3>\n

I. A Brief History of China-Syria Relations (1949-2010) <\/a><\/h3>\n

II. China and the Syrian Conflict: Balancing Threats and Opportunities <\/a><\/h3>\n\n
    \n\t
  1. Beijing\u2019s Vetoes on UNSC Syria Policy<\/a><\/li>\n\t
  2. Brothers in Arms? China\u2019s Military Role and Security Interests in Syria<\/a><\/li>\n\t
  3. Jihadi Erasmus in Syria: China\u2019s Uyghur Problem<\/a><\/li>\n\t
  4. China’s Soft-Power Toolkit in Syria: Trade and Aid<\/a><\/li>\n\t
  5. China\u2019s Vaccine Diplomacy in Syria<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    III. The Belt and Road Initiative and Syria: Investments and Reconstruction Projects <\/a><\/h3>\n

    Conclusion <\/a><\/h3>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”#e2c2bc” divider_position=”center” divider_weight=”4px” _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text module_id=”summary” _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”]

    Executive Summary<\/h1>\n

    Over the past decade, China\u2019s engagement in the Syrian conflict has received relatively little coverage. This is partly due to Beijing\u2019s intent to take a backseat role in order to avoid jeopardizing its long-term objectives in the region. In doing so, China has instead played a more proactive role behind the scenes, allowing it to fully leverage its political and economic influence to its favor. This study provides a detailed overview of China\u2019s overall involvement, interests, and foreign policy objectives within the Syrian crisis.<\/p>\n

    Since 2011, Beijing has advocated (on paper at least) for a political solution to the conflict while shunning direct involvement. Instead, Chinese engagement within the Syrian arena has occurred through a number of lenses, most notably through its diplomatic engagement in the UN Security Council. However, while China has largely remained adherent to its non-interventionist foreign policy with respect to the Syrian conflict, it has continued to build on its ties with the al-Assads, which date back to the 1960s when Hafez was then the Minister of Defence.<\/p>\n

    From a security perspective, Beijing\u2019s concerns have stemmed primarily from the influx of Uyghur fighters, from China\u2019s troubled western province of Xinjiang and from Central Asia, into Syria. This has been a major driver behind its decision to side with Damascus.<\/p>\n

    Economically, China\u2019s interests are less clearly defined. While it has long held minor stakes in Syria\u2019s oil sector, the war and its subsequent economic fallout have all but wiped out its investments. However, as Western sanctions continue to hit its already decimated economy, Syria remains very much in need of affordable Chinese goods and products. This has set the stage for potential Chinese economic leverage in a market that is desperate for investment opportunities.<\/p>\n

    Furthermore, Beijing\u2019s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) touts itself as a grand geostrategic plan for the future by creating a transit network for both goods and passengers. For this initiative to be executed properly, China wants enhanced access to the Mediterranean, something Syria could provide in exchange for infrastructure and reconstruction projects.
    Indeed, Beijing\u2019s renowned experience in providing infrastructure needs to developing states provides it with a competitive advantage over the regime\u2019s other main allies. However, while Chinese officials have gone on record supporting reconstruction and investment projects in Syria, much of it remains up in the air.<\/p>\n

    For now, Syria\u2019s strategic and security significance far outweigh its economic importance for China\u2014facets often lumped together by analysts. In order for Beijing to invest meaningfully in Syria, the conflict needs to provide suitable conditions for it to do so, starting with a durable political solution and the cessation of hostilities.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text ul_position=”inside” module_id=”introduction” _builder_version=”4.9.2″ _module_preset=”default”]

    Introduction<\/h1>\n

    In recent years, China\u2019s role in the Middle East has been a subject of heated debate<\/a>. Beijing, alongside Moscow, has taken an active role in filling the void left by the gradual withdrawal<\/a> of the United States from the region over the past decade. In comparison to Russia, however, China\u2019s position, objectives, and approach to key issues in the Middle East have mostly been overestimated by analysts and policymakers alike. More importantly, how these factors could eventually affect Beijing\u2019s role in shaping regional stability has too often remained unaddressed. This is particularly true regarding the Syrian conflict.<\/p>\n

    China\u2019s role in the conflict has historically received little attention, despite its active role behind the scenes. The People\u2019s Republic of China (PRC ) has long thrived to achieve a multipolar<\/a> world order in the Middle East, one in which non-interference and partnership with states in the region is a key credential. Syria\u2019s ongoing conflict provided the perfect opportunity as Beijing seeks to implement its increasingly ambitious foreign policy.<\/p>\n

    This study takes a detailed look at China\u2019s overall involvement and objectives within the Syrian conflict. In doing so, it argues that while Beijing\u2019s role has helped to preserve the Syrian regime\u2014mainly through its diplomatic backing in the United Nations (UN) and its Security Council (UNSC)\u2014its role has taken a back seat compared with Iran and Russia. For China, this approach has served a dual purpose:<\/p>\n