China abstained from voting on the draft resolution before the UN Security Council to remove Syria’s transitional president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, from sanctions lists, explaining that the text did not meet principles and considerations Beijing deems essential for stabilizing Syria and countering terrorism.
China’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Fu Cong, said in his 6 November address to the Council that Beijing’s position on sanctions has been “clear from the outset,” and that any change to the sanctions regime must take into account “the security situation in Syria, counterterrorism efforts, the complex effects that any change may entail, as well as the long-term interests and actual needs of the Syrian people.”
Fu added that the latest draft “did not embody these principles,” which led China to abstain, despite Beijing’s active participation in consultations and its submission, alongside several member states, of “constructive proposals” on issues related to counterterrorism and foreign fighters.
He accused the resolution’s sponsor, the United States, of “forcing a vote despite major differences among Council members, in service of a specific political agenda,” expressing “regret” that other countries’ inputs were not reflected.
A diplomatic source told the Qatari outlet Al Jazeera Net on 6 November that China proposed amendments, including explicit reference to foreign fighters in the draft text.
Fu noted that Syria is undergoing a political transition amid a fragile security environment and a difficult counterterrorism mission, and that a large number of “foreign terrorist fighters” have exploited this situation, posing a serious threat to peace and security in Syria, the region, and the world.
He said Syria must fulfill its counterterrorism commitments and take decisive measures against terrorist acts and the threat posed by foreign fighters, including members of the “East Turkestan Islamic Movement” (ETIM) present on Syrian territory, who are largely from China’s Uyghur community.
Fu stressed that the Syrian government should meet its counterterrorism obligations by taking practical steps that demonstrate tangible progress, thereby strengthening international confidence.
He pointed out that more than 160 entities and 430 individuals remain listed under the Security Council’s 1267 regime, with measures such as travel bans, asset freezes, and arms embargoes still in force.
All member states, he said, are obliged to implement Council resolutions accurately and prevent any organization, entity, or individual, including the East Turkestan Islamic Movement, from obtaining funds, weapons, or any form of external support that could threaten the security of other states.
The East Turkestan Islamic Movement, also known as the Turkistan Islamic Party, is an organization that seeks to establish an independent “East Turkestan” in China. Since its inception, it has maintained close ties with the Taliban, al-Qaeda, and the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan. It was founded by Hasan Mahsum, from China’s Xinjiang region, who was killed by Pakistani soldiers in October 2003.
Fu underlined that developments in Syria directly affect regional peace and stability, affirming China’s readiness to work with the international community to continue playing a constructive role in achieving security, stability, and development in Syria as soon as possible.
Security Council removes al-Sharaa from the sanctions list
The UN Security Council, in a meeting titled “Threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts,” adopted Resolution 2799 removing the names of Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and Interior Minister Anas Khattab from the international sanctions list.
The decision won the support of 14 out of 15 members with no objections, while China abstained, allowing its formal adoption.
The U.S. envoy to the Council said adopting the resolution “sends a strong political signal recognizing that Syria has entered a new phase since the ouster of Bashar al-Assad and his backers, and that there is a new Syrian government led by President Ahmad al-Sharaa working diligently to fulfill its commitments to combat terrorism, narcotics, and any chemical weapons, in addition to strengthening regional security and stability.”
The envoy added that the step represents a real opportunity for the Syrian people and aligns with what U.S. President Donald Trump said previously, that “Syria has a chance,” considering that removing the president and the minister from the sanctions list will help give Syrians that chance.
Why did China abstain from the vote to delist al-Sharaa from sanctions? Enab Baladi.
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