Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (R) holds talks with Syrian deputy prime minister and foreign minister Walid al-Moallem in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 24, 2015 (Xinhua/Ding Haitao)
SCMP: Syria courts China for rebuilding push after fall of Islamic State’s strongholds
Ambassador to Beijing says Assad regime open to oil-for-loan deals or yuan-denominated transactions as it seeks to lure businesses.
Syria is calling for China to help with the nation’s post-war reconstruction, its ambassador to Beijing has said, as the Syrian government consolidates its grip over the parts of the country it controls after the fall of Islamic State’s strongholds.
Ambassador Imad Moustapha said Syria had been trying to woo foreign investors to join its massive reconstruction efforts and would consider giving Chinese companies Syrian oil in return for loans. It would also consider settling transactions in yuan.
“We want countries like Russia, China, India and Iran to come and take part in the reconstruction,” he said.
“We are not going to welcome the countries that participated in the Syria war coming and saying we want to take part in the reconstruction,” the envoy said, referring to the United States and Turkey which backed some of the anti-government forces.
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WNU Editor: I have read many posts and comments over the past year predicting that China will be the major donor/investor to rebuild Syria. My Chinese friends are saying otherwise .... but if China will get involved (which I predict they will), it will only be a few years after the war is over.
