With Syria facing possible sanctions from the United States, the country is reportedly now turning to China to help it rebuild. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad announced this week that he is determined to find a way to help Chinese businesses get around the current restrictions and to accelerate the companies' efforts to enter Syrian markets.
The move comes as the United States continues its push to pass a bipartisan sanctions package against Syria, which was preceded by the withdrawal of its troops from the region. Assad mentioned on Monday that the country was in serious dialogue with China. The country is planning to join China's ambitious Belt and Road Initiative, with it already submitted six project proposals for approval.
Assad mentioned during an interview that Syria sees China's Silk Road project as a mutually beneficial endeavor. Syria hopes to join China as it seeks to strengthen its influence in the world, commenting that the country's initiative is a stark contrast to the West's "attempts at domination."
The United States and its western allies continue to be hostile to Syria and its regime following years of civil war. US lawmakers are expected to pass a bill next week called the Caesar Act, which will essentially impose heavier sanctions on Syria and its leaders along with foreign companies that continue to do business in the country.
Assad announced that he is committed to finding a way around the US' planned sanctions and to protect Chinese businesses that are actively engaging with local establishments and institutions. Various Chinese businesses have expressed interest in supporting the country's efforts to rebuild. There are of course a lot of opportunities available as western companies continue to refuse to do business in the country while it is still under Assad's rule.
Assad did not detail his plans but only mentioned that they have found "certain formulas" that will allow Chinese companies to enter the Syrian market safely to help in the country's reconstruction process. Assad also revealed that his regime is currently in talks with a number of Chinese companies, who are also trying to find ways around the sanctions.
Analysts have pointed out that Chinese companies that want to do business in Syria will have to find alternate ways of sending and receiving payments, specifically ones that do not involve the use of the US-backed Swift international payments system.
China has so far been very cautious when it came to its approach involving the conflicts in the Middle East. The country does, however, consider Syria and the Middle East as an important region for its planned infrastructure and trading network.
