Alwaght- Over the past decade, Syria has captivated the attention of the trans-regional powers more than any other time. At the beginning of the crisis, Syria was a scene of a Western-Russian confrontation. However, in recent months, it became a Chinese-American encounter theater. The historic visit to China of the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his wife last month and inking a strategic partnership pact opened a new chapter in Beijing-Damascus relations and displayed the Chinese intention for a more active role in this country.
In the past decade, China was one of the supporters of legitimate government of Syria, and together with Russia, using its veto right in the UN Security Council, it thwarted the schemes of the West against Damascus, and now that the relative peace is restored to this country, it has defined its interests beyond political relations. China’s position towards the Syrian war was principal and in accordance with the principles of China’s foreign policy and its orientation of rejecting interference in the internal affairs of countries. Therefore, Beijing sought to stop the war in Syria and put forward many initiatives aimed at finding a way out of the conflict there.
Bracing for unseating the US as the world’s economic superpower in the next two decades, China is trying to boost its relations with anti-Western countries and challenge the American destructive plans. With Chinese-American relations growing strained day by day, Beijing finds it inevitable to confront Washington, both openly and quietly. Given the tensions in West Asia, the Chinese leaders have decided to step in the traditional American spheres of influence, particularly West Asia. That is why recently Syria caught their attention. Economy took a center stage in the Beijing visit of al-Assad with whose counterpart Xi Jinping he signed three cooperation documents. The first document included economic cooperation between the two countries, the second one was a MoU on exchange of experiences and cooperation for economic development, and the third document was a MoU on cooperation within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative (RBI) project. These agreements are expected to produce significant achievements for both sides.
Economic and strategic significance of Syria for China
Though China stood by the Syrian president politically, given the developments the world stage has seen, economic and political interests in Syria have become a priority for China in this Arab country. Syria is considered a strategic asset for China not only in terms of natural resources, but also in terms of geopolitical weight, geographical location, civilizational position, and the role it plays in the equations of regional politics.
For countries intending to invest in the region, the geographical location of Syria is of strategic-economic importance, and China, as the world’s largest investor, is seeking an active presence in the Syrian economy.
Syria is especially important in terms of geopolitics and ground and maritime routes that link the East to the West. One of these key global routes is the RBI that links Asia to Europe and Africa through a network of ground and maritime routes. Syria is one of the countries located on this route that reaches the Mediterranean and then Europe.
Since the announcement of China’s RBI, establishing strategic partnerships has become one of the most important aspects of the Chinese diplomacy, and the number of countries China cooperates with has steadily increased since 2016. According to Chinese media reports, the third RBI summit will be held in the coming days, in which more than 150 countries and 30 international organizations will participate. Beijing announced that it has received confirmation from 110 countries to attend the upcoming summit, including Russian President Vladimir Putin. Therefore, the possible presence of Damascus officials in this business meeting sends an important message to the West, telling it that Syria has an important place in Beijing’s economic policies.
Just contrary to the American policy that is built on the use of hard and soft tools and pressure even in dealing with the allies, Chinese foreign policy is based on common definition of joint interests with other countries. China relies on the principle of partnership as a geopolitical tool to broaden its global and regional power and influence.
Syria is a small country in terms of its geography and resources, but it is big in terms of determination and its distinct geopolitical position, which was one of the drivers for the Western and Arab-incited terrorism war against it, especially as the world is witnessing what can be called the return of Syria. The new Syria is way different from a decade ago when it was struggling with internal crisis, and it recently managed to regain its seat in the Arab League, showing that it is seeking to restore its former position and authority in the region.
On the other side, China which is taking steps to ratchet up its relations with the Arab countries looks at Syria as a country of influence in the region. During the crisis period, Syria lost many of its infrastructures and needs international assistance to get back on the track and reclaim its past position. Some Arab countries in the region, including the UAE, have started taking steps to rebuild Syria’s infrastructure and China does not want to fall behind in this lucrative market. Therefore, China’s presence in Syria would mean construction, broader economic cooperation, and mutual benefit and would lead to transition to post-war period for restoration of Damascus’ position in the region and the world.
To realize its projects, China severely needs stability and peace in West Asia for a transition from direct and proxy confrontation to partnership and cooperation for integration of their economic interests. To this end, in recent months, China to a large extent contributed to return of peace to West Asia by mediating between Iran and Saudi Arabia and also working towards inter-Arab convergence.
Al-Assad’s China visit and signing a strategic partnership agreement is a prelude for end of Syria’s international isolation that is dictated by the West. Some experts believe that China’s powerful presence in Syria is aimed at pushing back the US and defeating Western policies in this country. By strengthening economic relations with Syria, the Chinese are trying to neutralize Western sanctions against this country and restore stability to Syria.
There are many grounds for cooperation between the two countries and if they remove the bureaucratic obstacles and make channels for direct communication, important results can come out. This cooperation will not be welcomed by Syria’s enemies, especially the US, that are plundering its oil in the areas under their occupation and at the same time tell the world they are present to fight terrorism.
China wants to strengthen the cooperation between the countries close to it and its allies, because it has realized that it is on the verge of a new stage of the Cold War with the US, and for this reason it is looking for partners in the region, and Syria is part of this puzzle of confrontation between the two heavyweights.
American struggle to counter China
At the same time as China pushes to upgrade ties with Syria, the US has stepped up its moves to block the way of superiority of its emerging rival in the region. To this end, in recent weeks, Washington and its allies unveiled a plan for India-Europe corridor that is meant to replace RBI, also called New Silk Road. The US knows very well that if this major Chinese project materializes, China will have the global economic heartbeat, something posing a threat to the already declining American global hegemony.
Despite warnings from Moscow and Damascus for the withdrawal of American forces from northern Syria, Washington has hatched new plans for this country and seems to have no intention of ending the occupation. The Adarpress website, citing official sources related to the Syrian Kurds, recently reported that the US will move its embassy in Damascus to the northern regions of Syria. It is even said that the US Embassy in Damascus will be renamed to the US Embassy in Syria and the removal of the word Damascus from it indicates that the White House leaders are not willing to recognize legitimate government of President al-Assad.
Washington seeks to continue to plunder Syrian Oil and gas through long-term presence in the north to meet part of the Israeli and European energy needs and at the same time make profits. The reality is that the Americans do not want to lose this treasure because they know well that if they pull out of the northern Syria, they not only will lose the game to the Russians and Iranians, but also they pave the way for involvement in of Chinese companies in Syria’s energy sector. Before the Syrian crisis, China was actively involved in the production of Syrian oil and will resume its activities if the American occupation ends, something Washington does not want at all.
Relocation of the embassy from Damascus to the areas out of control of the central government is a continuation of the partition project that had been followed by Washington and Tel Aviv since years ago. After all, the Western-Israeli front does not tolerate a powerful Syria as an ally to the Chinese-Russian-Iranian triangle. This is why the Americans are trying to keep the fire of war and crisis burning. By relocating the embassy, which is a violation of the Syrian territory, Washington tries to persuade other Western countries to relocate their embassies to the occupied areas and so perpetuate Syrian isolation. The return of al-Assad’s government to the Arab League and the subsequent economic progress due to Chinese investments are considered a big defeat for the West and its allies who do not want Syria de-isolation be completed in association with the emerging Eastern power.
Although due to the American sanctioning policies, the atmosphere is not proper for Chinese saber-rattling, Beijing has shown that it very well knows the game card with its Western rival and perhaps the Gordian knot of crisis in Syria can be untied by this Asian power. Should this happen, China will score another win against the US and the world will more than ever know about the demise of the American hegemony.
