Syria has joined the huge "New Silk Road" program | Israel today

China strengthens its grip on the Middle East and announces Syria's accession to the giant "New Silk Road" program.

According to a Chinese news agency announcement from India ten days ago, Syria has joined the "belt and road initiative," as Beijing calls the project.

On January 12, 2022, the signing ceremony was held in Damascus to sign the "Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic, on the joint promotion of the construction of the 21st Century Silk Road and the Silk Road." 

It is the largest and most extensive international cooperation platform in the world today.

The SIGNAL Institute for the Study of Israel-China Relations says in the wake of the Sino-Syrian move that "the reality we knew in the first decades, in which relations focused mainly on trade relations, has changed."

According to Charis Viti, founder and CEO of the SIGNAL Institute: "China is today the second largest power in the world and is no longer content with just trade.

It seeks to be an actress in the political arena, and to redesign the regional architecture so that it serves its interests.

Precisely because of this, a clear Israeli policy is required in relation to China, which will first and foremost serve Israel's interests in the changing reality. " 

According to SIGNAL researchers Tommy Steiner and Dale Champion, a quick look at last month's events indicates that China is currently focusing on strengthening its grip on the Middle East, which is taking place against the backdrop of talks in Vienna, in which China plays a key role.

According to publications in China, the intention is to produce a joint Sino-Syrian move, in which the two countries will work together to stabilize the region, and among other things, cooperate against terrorism, work to resolve the refugee issue and strengthen local government.

China is expected to lead economic development, while Russia will provide security.

As early as last week, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi hosted four foreign ministers from the Gulf states (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain), with the aim of establishing a strategic partnership.

The Turkish Foreign Minister also paid an official visit to China during the week.

The Iranian foreign minister also met with his Chinese counterpart.

Both sides announced the launch of the implementation of the 25-year comprehensive cooperation agreement between the two countries.

The agreement, signed in Tehran in March 2021, includes economic, military and security cooperation.

Last month it was revealed that China is helping Saudi Arabia develop its own missile production program, which could end its dependence on the purchase of foreign ballistic missiles.

This is in addition to the extensive economic activity in the field of ports and infrastructure, 5G networks and smart cities in most Middle Eastern countries, and extensive business activity.

Viti concludes: "China is a unicorn. No country has the combination of Chinese sources of power. Contrary to Western thinking, the 'Chinese way' does not seek to 'control the world', but to make the world conform to China's interests and way of seeing it. China Guided by long-term thinking that strives to create leverages of influence.

Investments, project loans, infrastructure tenders, procurement, joint academic ventures are potential future leverages.

In the "Send to Yours" exam with Chinese characteristics.

"If we are to navigate relations correctly in the coming decades, the Israeli government will do well to formulate a clear policy with China."

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