China and Lebanon, for a strategic partnership that advances Lebanon and ends its crises.
The great progress and openness of China’s relations with Arab countries provides a rare opportunity for many countries, especially Lebanon, with the aim of achieving a strategic partnership that advances it, ends its crises, and guarantees its long-term strategic interests, as well as enables it to restore its sovereignty, fortify its social and economic security, and get out of the circle of interference. countries in their internal affairs.The option of strategic partnership with China enables Lebanon to open up enormous economic benefits, gaining independence and freedom from any regional and international pressures while ensuring that it does not fall back under the domination of any party, as China does not seek to remove influence or add an ally, but its goal is to diversify partnerships, raise capacity and ambition, and achieve large projects on the basis of mutual benefit.
In fact, China has been paying great and wide attention since ancient times to historical relations with the Arab and Islamic nations, and Lebanon is considered the most basic gateway to the silk road periods, which did not come from a vacuum or interest unilaterally, but its apartment achievements, accumulations, cultures and ancient civilizations that mimic reality, and keep pace with developments.
The Chinese leadership is taking a steady step to build partnerships and take advantage of common opportunities to strengthen common ties and interests with all, including Lebanon, as China has always maintained that it is open to dialogue and promoting bilateral partnerships and looks forward to joint action with a view to developing a formula that promotes cooperation and company between China and Lebanon.
China adheres to its relations with the policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of others, and deals with countries on the basis of peership from country to country regardless of the different systems of government and the identity of the ruling political parties, China starts its relations with countries adopting its national and national principles, and adheres to its principles calling for supporting the independence of countries, as the Chinese have tried colonialism and its woes, and with Lebanon begins its dealings with the five principles of peaceful coexistence that it advocates on the basis of:
1- Mutual respect for sovereignty.
2- Territorial integrity and not attacking others.
3- Non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries.4- Equality and mutual benefit.
5- Peaceful coexistence regardless of the different political systems.
China’s position towards Lebanon is consistent, clear and parallel. China is with everyone , does not support any Lebanese party at the expense of another, nor does it defeat one party over another.
China considers Lebanon a historically important pivotal station and a vital link in the Belt and Road Initiative in the contemporary stage, and takes into account the importance of the formula of diversity and pluralism. What characterizes Lebanon, as it appreciates its historical role due to its strategic location and its Arab and international relations due to the spread of its people globally.
China views Lebanon as an arena of convergence, a bridge of communication, and a center for sharing among peoples. Moreover, China does not seek hegemony or dispossession of influence, nor to obstruct or sabotage Lebanon’s political and economic relations with any A regional or international party wishes Lebanon security, stability and prosperity.
China considers the Arab countries, including Lebanon, an important partner to it, and it is taking firm steps the path of peaceful development in its endeavors to enhance solidarity and cooperation with developing countries and to establish a new type of international relationship centered on cooperation and mutual gain. It also always views Sino-Arab relations from a strategic angle, and China’s long-term foreign policy is committed to consolidating and deepening the traditional friendship with Arab countries. Achieving better development in China, for the sake of win-win and common development through cooperation, and thus foreseeing brighter prospects for the strategic cooperation relations between China and the Arab countries.
China’s commitment to the Middle East in general is based on the principle of partnership with all on the basis of “partnership and non-alignedness.” It rejects the concept of alliances and the establishment of blocs, because China in its dealings adopts morality and has historically rejected the issue of establishing and engaging in military alliances, as it carries the mentality of the Cold War and enhances the possibility of tensions and wars, which contradicts its strategy and prefers to focus on building a wide network of strategic partnerships and rejects the concept of installing agents and imposing influence, as confirmed by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the headquarters of the Arab League in 2016 where he said: China is not setting up proxies in the Middle East, is not wresting the so-called “sphere of influence” from anyone and has no intention of “filling the void”.
Also, China has always strived to support stability and peace in the Middle East, and is always ready to play a constructive role in this regard, and constantly urges all parties to resolve disputes through dialogue and peaceful frameworks based on relevant Security Council resolutions, in compliance with international legitimacy and the rule of law. This is what it always confirms in international forums. In this regard, State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, Wang Yi, put forward a Chinese initiative aimed at achieving security and stability in the Middle East, the provisions of which are five points:
First – The call for mutual respect. This principle was adopted as the basis for transactions between the countries of the region, and the countries of the world must respect the choices of these countries and their peoples.
Second – Commitment to equity and justice as the basis for resolving disputes and the Palestinian issue, and considering the two-state solution as the basis for it through negotiations.
Third – Achieving the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and seeking a quick return to the Iranian nuclear agreement.
Fourth – Working together to achieve collective security by striving to resolve conflicts and establish a common security framework in the region that leads to stability.
Fifthly, accelerating the pace of development and cooperation.
Today, the world is going through great changes, as the current international situation is complex and volatile, and the world, and both China and Lebanon, are facing major crises, which necessitate joint tasks and struggle to confront the historical challenges that resulted from what the West established during hundreds of years of occupation and colonialism as an international political reality based on the “concept of hegemony” and “Western double standards,” which enshrine political and social concepts designed to continue the hegemony of the United States and the West over international discourse and to contain developing countries.
Today, through the collective renaissance of the developing countries, led by China and the countries of the Middle East, including Lebanon, The world has begun to witness major changes that we have not seen for a century ago, It accelerates the rewriting of the international political reality “centered around the West”, which restores to the people their rights through the establishment of new concepts based on pluralism and cooperation with the aim of Building a better common future for all mankind.
The results of cooperation and joint pursuit of a better future for mankind on the basis of “mutual benefit” and “common win” have also demonstrated the world’s need for the “Belt and Road”, unrestricted trade, safe passage for exports and imports, and high-tech cooperation.
From this standpoint, we believe that the Lebanese politicians of all stripes must realize well that the global system is changing, and its destination is the East, being the center of global economic gravity, and the rise of China is nominating it to lead this transformation. The Lebanese leaders must assume their national responsibilities and stop turning Lebanon into an arena for settling accounts and reject That Lebanon be a mailbox for sending regional and international messages, and that they commit themselves to making Lebanon an arena for the convergence of nations and religions and a bridge between East and West.
In order to protect Lebanon and its interests and with the aim of ending its crises, it is necessary to carry out effective economic and political reforms that enhance self-confidence and independence and restore Arab and international confidence. And following the principle of openness to all, partnership and investment with all without bias. Proceeding from the fact that Lebanon is an Arab in identity and belonging, Lebanon has the obligation to support Arab causes within the framework of the League of Arab States, just like its Arab brothers. Thus, Lebanon ensures that it is not exposed to risks, disintegration and collapse, and preserves it from disappearance, because Lebanon in particular and the Middle East in general have suffered from many volatile geopolitical factors and wars over the past fifty years, and their entities and economies have been negatively affected as a result. Lebanon must also ensure that it is not a party to the conflicts, or takes sides with any party, and that it works to ensure that neither it nor any Lebanese party has a role in causing the escalation of conflicts and reaching a military conflict.
In support of stability and international legitimacy, China affirms that it will always safeguard world peace, always contribute to global development, and always defend the international order. To Lebanon, China will continue, as usual, to support Lebanon in safeguarding its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, enhance mutual support and cooperation with Lebanon in international and regional affairs, work jointly with Lebanon to safeguard international justice, pluralism and free trade, and encourage discussions on ways to enhance practical cooperation on the basis of “mutual benefit” in The framework of the two sides’ participation in building the “Belt and Road”, and this was confirmed by His Excellency the Chinese Ambassador, friend Qian Minjian recently in his statements, in which he also confirmed that the Chinese side will continue to provide the assistance it can to the Lebanese side, and actively participate in United Nations peacekeeping operations in Lebanon and support the Lebanese people to work together in the spirit of one team and solidarity in overcoming transitory difficulties, and make greater contributions to the establishment of the Sino-Arab community for a common future.
Written by: Wael Khalil Yassine
– Chairman of the Middle East Studies and Development Center .
– Consultant specializing in China State Council policy research on West Asia and North Africa..
