China extends its geopolitical interests to Syria

China is aiming to invest $2 billion in the creation of an industrial park in Syria that will initially bring 150 Chinese companies, as China Young, deputy chairman of the Chinese-Arab Exchange Association, announced Sunday during the first reconstruction project fair in Beijing.

It was reported that China is planning to rent Syrian aircraft and ships for its future economic activities. Chinese companies will be equipped with the necessary legal support in the area of investments, construction and banking operations by a special commission for legal issues and investments in the restoration of Syria.

However, a researcher at China's Institute of Contemporary International Relations, Chen Fengying, believes the main goal is to stop the war in Syria.

For Syria, the most important issue is to stop fighting and solve the problem of armed opponents, and only then talk about restoring infrastructure”, Chen told “Sputnik China”, report Periscope.

For these investments, Ashnar Kurtov from the Russian Institute for Strategic Studies (RISS) said: “As far as investments in the areas of high productivity of the industry, agriculture and transport of Syria, providing such opportunity by the Syrian Government will depend on the fact whether China or any other country will participate in the first phase (of reconstruction projects) in creating adequate conditions for the population. Surely, the Syrian Government will give priority to those who will be more engaged in rebuilding the destroyed” infrastructure

For his part, Vladimir Evsev, head of the Organisation “'s Department of Integration and Eurasian Development Shanghai Cooperation” believes China's willingness to invest in Syria means that the end of the conflict is not far off.

Maybe we're talking about some economic impact cohorts. China has made a major decision to participate in resolving the crisis in Syria, both politically and economically. This could be accompanied by a limited involvement in the military sphere to test its” weapons, Evsev said.

China officially became involved in Syria last year by appointing its special representative there. Furthermore, Beijing joins its diplomatic efforts with humanitarian aid to Syrians.

Syria stands high on the Beijing agenda. This even in view of the fact that on January 18, 2017, Chinese President Xi Jinping for the first time stressed China's contribution to resolving the Syrian issue./Periscopi/