This time, it was Turkey and Syria that fought. The conflict between the two countries has not only touched the nerves of the Middle East, but also put pressure on China. Why?Because these two countries are important partners of China in the Middle East, and both are inextricably linked with China. If they fight, what will affect China's interests?What should China do?These questions are worthy of our deep consideration.
Why are Turkey and Syria fighting?
The contradictions between Turkey and Syria have existed for a long time. The main aspects are as follows:
First, the issue of the border between Turkey and Syria. The border between the two countries was drawn after World War I by Britain and France, without taking into account the ethnic and religious distribution of the region. The Kurds are a stateless people, with a total population of more than 30 million people in Turkey, Syria, Iraq, and Iran. They have been fighting to establish their own state, or to gain more autonomy. Both Turkey and Syria regard the Kurds as elements and suppress and strike at them.
Secondly, the positions of Turkey and Syria in the Syrian civil war are different. The Syrian civil war, which began in 2011 and has lasted for 12 years, has caused hundreds of thousands of deaths and millions of people to their homes. ** Assad in Syria, whose regime is supported by countries and organizations such as Allah. And the *** forces against him are mainly Sunni Muslims, who are supported by countries and organizations such as Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United States. Therefore, Turkey has been in the Syrian civil war, supporting and arming the opposition, and even directly intervening with troops, occupying some areas of northern Syria.
Third, Turkey, a member of NATO and a candidate for the European Union, has been trying to find a balance between the West and the Middle East, while also having its own strategic goals and ambitions. Syria is an Arab country and a member of the African Union. The two countries often hold different or opposite positions on some major issuesFor example, the Iranian nuclear issue, the Palestinian issue, the Iraqi issue, the Lebanese issue, and so on. These issues all involve the core interests of the two countries and Therefore, friction and confrontation often occur between the two countries.
What does China have to do with Turkey and Syria?
China is a large country with a population of 1.4 billion and an ancient country with a 5,000-year-old civilization, which has an important position and influence in the world. China has always pursued an independent foreign policy of peace, respected the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, and did not seek the best people, but promoted all countries to join the "Belt and Road" circle of friends, and weaved a mutually beneficial and win-win partner network. China is also a responsible country, and it has always been actively involved in international and regional affairs.
China has a long history of friendly relations with Turkey and Syria。China and Turkey are both important countries in Asia, founding members of the United Nations, members of the G20, members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, representatives of emerging markets and developing countries, and supporters and defenders of multilateralism. The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1971 and are currently a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership. China and Syria, which established diplomatic relations in 1956, are currently a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership. The two countries have close exchanges and cooperation in the fields of politics, economy, science and technology, agriculture, medical care, and education, and the people of the two countries also have deep feelings.
If Turkey and Syria fight, what will affect China's interests?
If Turkey and Syria fight, China's interests will be seriously affected. The main aspects are as follows:
First, China's economic interests will suffer. China is an important partner of Turkey and Syria, as well as an important investor and partner of both countries. China has a large number of projects and contracts in both countries, involving energy, infrastructure, industry, agriculture, communications, finance and other fields. If the two countries fight, these projects and contracts will be at risk of being interrupted or canceled, Chinese companies and people will also face security threats, and China's economic interests will suffer significant losses.
Second, China's strategic interests will be challenged. China is the initiator and promoter of the Belt and Road Initiative, as well as a supporter and promoter of peace and stability in the Middle East. China has a wide range of partners in the Middle East and important strategic interests. If Turkey and Syria fight, it will not only exacerbate the turmoil and crisis in the Middle East, but also affect the implementation and promotion of the Belt and Road Initiative, and will also affect China's other partners in the Middle East, such as Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and other countries, and China's strategic interests will be severely challenged.
Third, China has always advocated the peaceful settlement of international and regional disputes and contradictions through dialogue and negotiation, and opposes any form of violence and terrorism, opposes interference in the internal affairs of other countries by external forces, opposes unilateralism and hegemonism, opposes bullying the weak with the strong and bullying the small with the big, and opposes beggar-thy-neighbor and beggar-thy-neighbor as the enemy. If Turkey and Syria were to fight, China would face a dilemma.
What should China do?
First, China should actively play its diplomatic role in promoting peace talksPromote dialogue and communication between Turkey and Syria, seek ways and solutions to peacefully solve the problem, avoid further deterioration and escalation of the situation, and maintain peace and stability in the Middle East.
Second, China should firmly safeguard its own interests and principlesProtect the safety and rights of their own enterprises and people, and provide support and assistance for the development and prosperity of the two countries.
Third, China should actively participate in international and regional cooperation and coordinationMaintain communication and consultation with the United Nations, the Security Council, the League of Arab States, the European Union, Russia, the United States and other countries and organizations to jointly promote the political settlement of the Middle East issue, jointly combat terrorism and extremism, jointly uphold international law and international order, and jointly build a community with a shared future for mankind.