WASHINGTON • Western powers are reluctant to help rebuild Syria after its civil war because they think the wrong side won. Russia and Iran played a major part in that outcome – but they cannot afford a bill estimated at a quarter-trillion dollars..
WASHINGTON • Western powers are reluctant to help rebuild Syria after its civil war because they think the wrong side won. Russia and Iran played a major part in that outcome – but they cannot afford a bill estimated at a quarter-trillion dollars.
Enter China?
Mr Qin Yong, vice-president of the China-Arab Exchange Association, said he sees burgeoning interest among Chinese companies.
“We get phone queries every day,” he said. “They see huge business potential there because the entire country needs to be rebuilt.”
The enthusiasm is reciprocated on the Syrian side, said Mr Qin. “They’re like, don’t come tomorrow, come tonight.”
As the 61/2-year war winds down, with President Bashar al-Assad still in power, the battle for influence in Syria has shifted to the diplomatic arena. Reconstruction, which the United Nations said could cost US$250 billion (S$336 billion), is a key part of it.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared victory in his two-year military operation to shore up Mr Assad and is now appealing for international funds. At his annual press conference on Dec 14, Mr Putin showed signs of frustration.
He said Syria, whose conflict sparked the worst refugee crisis in Europe since World War II, will remain a breeding ground for extremist groups such as the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria without improved living standards.
“All people of goodwill around the world should understand that if we do not resolve this together, it will be their problem as well,” he said.
The United States and its European and Gulf Arab allies, which backed the Syrian rebels, said that problem is largely of Mr Putin and Mr Assad’s making.
