China and Syria deepen security ties, affirm One-China principle

Syria and China have agreed to enhance their collaboration in the critical areas of security and counter-terrorism, according to a joint statement released on Monday. The agreement came during Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad's high-level talks in Beijing with China's top diplomat, Wang Yi, signaling a deepening of bilateral relations between Damascus and Beijing.

A Foundation of Mutual Interests

The two nations emphasized their commitment to a relationship built on mutual respect and non-interference in internal affairs. The discussions, described as constructive, covered a broad agenda including economic cooperation, Syria's reconstruction efforts following its prolonged civil war, and shared international concerns. This partnership aims to address common security challenges and bolster development initiatives.

Syria's Stance on Chinese Sovereignty

Minister Mekdad explicitly aligned Damascus with Beijing's core political stances. He reiterated Syria's "firm commitment to the One-China principle," explicitly recognizing the government in Beijing as the sole legitimate authority for all of China, including Taiwan. He further assured that "Syria will not be a source of threat to China and will not allow any entities to use its territory to harm China’s security, sovereignty, or interests."

China's Support for Syrian Sovereignty

For his part, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed Beijing's support for Syria's political process and its efforts to combat terrorism and narcotics trafficking. He reaffirmed China's "full respect for the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity" of Syria. In a pointed remark on a key regional issue, Wang Yi stated that the Golan Heights is considered "occupied Syrian land" under international law, referring to the territory held by Israel.