The reason of China’s abstained in the Security Council regarding the resolution to lift sanctions on Sharaa
At a UN Security Council session on November 6, China abstained from voting on Draft Resolution 2799, which provides for the removal of the names of Syria’s transitional president, Ahmed al Sharaa, and Interior Minister Anas Khattab from international sanctions lists.
Beijing has made it clear that the resolution does not take into account the principles it considers necessary to stabilize Syria and fight terrorism.
China’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Fu Zhong, stressed that his country’s position on the sanctions regime has been clear from the beginning, noting that any amendment must take into account the security situation in Syria, the challenges associated with terrorism, as well as the potential long-term impacts, and the needs of the Syrian people.
Jung explained that the draft resolution didn’t reflect these considerations, despite China’s participation in the consultations and its presentation of constructive proposals in cooperation with a number of member states, especially with regard to combating terrorism and foreign fighters.
He also criticized the United States, the sponsor of the resolution, accusing it of pushing the council to vote despite differences among members, in the service of private political agendas.
Diplomatic sources revealed that China proposed to include the issue of foreign fighters in the text of the resolution, in light of what Jung described as the fragile security situation in Syria, where terrorist groups, including the East Turkestan Islamic Movement, exploit the instability to achieve gains, posing a threat to regional and international security.
The Chinese delegate stressed the need for the Syrian government to abide by its responsibilities in the fight against terrorism and take practical steps to enhance the confidence of the international community.
He also noted that the Security Council’s 1267 list still includes more than 160 entities and 430 individuals, and is subject to measures including travel bans, asset freezes and arms embargoes.
All member states are obliged to strictly implement these resolutions and prevent any external support that may reach entities such as the East Turkestan Islamic Movement, which has ties to organizations such as the Taliban and al Qaeda, and seeks to establish an independent state in China’s Xinjiang region, Jung said.
The Security Council approved the draft resolution by 14 votes, with only China abstaining, allowing it to be formally adopted.
The US envoy considered that the decision represents a political transformation that reflects the beginning of a new phase in Syria, after the fall of the Assad regime, praising the new government led by Ahmed al Sharaa, which is working to combat terrorism, drugs and chemical weapons, and promote regional stability.
He also pointed out that this step gives the Syrian people a real opportunity to engage in a new political and economic path, stressing that the lifting of sanctions on the president and the minister is in line with previous statements by US President Donald Trump, who expressed optimism about the future of Syria under the new leadership.
