Topic: Situation in Syria
Country: China
Delegate Name: Elizabeth Allen
School: Fishers High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All China position papers GLIMUN 2013 committees
Syria and the People’s Republic of China have been in close diplomatic relations since 1956, holding embassies in both countries for the other. These two counties have had significant trade activity occur, but is considered to be mostly exports from China to Syria. Military efforts throughout Syria in relation to China have also been considered good throughout the past years. In the past, China has been more willing to stay out of the way of external conflict, but in the recent years has been growing more and more interested in human rights and peacekeeping through the world. They feel that China has needed to keep their sovereignty in tact, but also try to help other countries in need as well. Syria has become more and more of a problem because of the constant conflict occurring, with China recently joining Russia in opposing military strikes on Syria. Much of China’s take on the Syria conflict is economically based, because that is such a staple with the relations with Syria.
China feels that at this point in time, it is not a good motion to move forward with military strikes on Syria because of the spike in oil prices and economic turmoil that they feel would ensue after the strikes. This conclusion was made at the G20 Summit in 2013, and China plans on discussing further options for the conflicts in Syria. China does not agree with the United State’s opinion to intervene with force, with China’s leader Xi Jinping stating that “a political solution is the only right way out for the Syrian crisis and a military strike cannot solve the problem from the root.” Our belief is that Syrian rebels, at this point in time, are not united enough to overthrow Syrian government officials. We feel that the United States is acting rashly, and needs to consider other options before intervening with militia.
China understands the gravity of the Syrian conflict, but feels that it needs to be dealt with in a more political and strategic way than the United States proposes. Possibly one solution to the crisis is to create a program that helps citizens and the government of Syria work together to find compromises in their beliefs and actions throughout the county. As well, the UN could talk about setting up funds to hold refugees from the conflict until further actions are made against the terrors that are overcoming the country. China insists that using any military action without UN approval is considered illegal, and would like to divulge further into the investigation about Syria’s use of chemical weapons. The biggest action the UN can take at this point is to find out the full truth of Syria’s use of chemical weapons, and take action based on this. We cannot make assumptions based upon biases of our countries, rather we must be patient and try to understand fully the situation at hand.
“Syria crisis: Where key countries stand”
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-23849587
“China’s View on Syria Crisis: America’s ‘Hidden Motivations’ Are leading It Astray”
http://world.time.com/2013/09/13/chinas-view-on-syria-crisis-americas-hidden-motivations-are-leading-it-astray/
“Syria Crisis: China joins Russia in opposing military strikes”
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/05/syria-china-russia-opposing-military-strikes
