 | |
 China |  Lebanon |
|---|---|
| Diplomatic mission | |
| Embassy of China, Beirut | Embassy of Lebanon, Beijing |
| Envoy | |
| AmbassadorWang Kejian | AmbassadorMilia Jabbour |
China–Lebanon relations (Chinese:中黎关系;pinyin:Zhōng lí guānxì;Arabic:العلاقات الصينية اللبنانية), also referred to as theSino-Lebanese relations,[1] refer to the bilateral relationship betweenChina andLebanon.
While initially hostile due to Lebanon's more "West-leaning" ties in the 1950s, relations between Lebanon and China were first established in 1971, with Lebanon becoming one of the first countries to form formal ties with China. The firstConfucius Institute in theMiddle East was opened in Lebanon in 2006. In 2013, China became Lebanon's top trading partner, accounting for 40% of Lebanese imports.
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Lebanese-American doctorMa Haide (born George Hatem), was the first foreigner to become acitizen of the newly formedPeople's Republic of China in 1949; he was the only Westerner to fight for theChinese Red Army.[2]
Lebanon did not recognise theChinese Communist Party (CCP) as the central authority of the People's Republic of China following its formation in 1949.[3][4] China, who backed the North Korean troops against the US forces in theKorean War in 1951, was labelled an "aggressor" by Lebanon following their intervention.[3][4] In the 1950s, Lebanon's relations with China were hostile, as they looked to strengthen ties with the West and the US.[3] Following theBandung Conference in 1955, China and Lebanon negotiated a trade agreement; this was the first sign of positive relations between the two countries.[3]
The two countries first established diplomatic relations on 9 November 1971; Lebanon became one of the first countries to formally establish relations with China.[1] In 1972, China opened a branch of theNational Bank of China inBeirut, Lebanon.[3] Later that year, a trade agreement was established, following a visit toBeijing by the LebaneseMinister of Foreign Affairs,Khalil Abou Hamad.[1] Due to the outbreak of theLebanese Civil War, further developments in the relations between the two countries were delayed until the early 2000s.[1]
Lebanon is a member of the multilateral cooperation group between China and the Arab States, theChina–Arab States Cooperation Forum (CASCF), formed in 2004.[5] The Arab countries coordinate their activities with CASCF through theArab League.[5] This facilitates coordination on collective projects like railway and nuclear power projects, and provides a way for the Arab countries to present a unified voice in their dealings with China.[5] CASCF areas of cooperation include political issues, including Lebanon andSyria's respective territorial disputes withIsrael.[6]
In 2005, China and Lebanon signed a tourism cooperation deal, which intended to increase investment in reciprocal touristic sectors.[1] China opened the firstConfucius Institute in the Middle East atSaint Joseph University in Beirut in 2006.[7][8] It has been regarded as "an important platform for teaching Chinese language and disseminating Chinese culture in Lebanon" by theMinistry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China.[9]
During the2006 Lebanon War, China evacuated 167 of its citizens from Lebanon.[10] In line with China'spolicy of non-interference,Liu Zhenmin, Deputy Permanent Representative of China to theUnited Nations, criticised both Israel andHezbollah's actions in the war.[3]China's Special Envoy on the Middle East Issue at the time,Sun Bigan, heavily criticized Israel for its disproportionate use of force, and stated that the UN resolutions being drafted at the time must take into account the views of Lebanon and the Arab countries.[11] Also in 2006, Sun attended an international conference on Lebanon's reconstruction and China provided 150 tons of humanitarian assistance to Lebanon, including food, medicine, and electric generators.[12] In 2008, CASCF documents highlighted solidarity and economic and political support to Lebanon.[13] In 2010, CASCF called for implementation of theUN Security Council resolution on occupied territory in southern Lebanon.[13] Qian Minjian, China's Ambassador to Lebanon, stated in 2012: "When it comes to the conflict with Israel, there is no doubt that Israel is the one occupying Lebanese land".[14]
China became Lebanon's top trading partner in 2013, following a steady increase in two-way trade from the level of 2012.[9] Indeed, China supplied 40% of Lebanese imports.[15] In November 2013, vice chairperson of theChinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC)Luo Fuhe attended the reception marking the 70thLebanese Independence Day.[9] In 2016, Lebanese diplomats expressed their support for China's position on itsterritorial disputes in the South China Sea.[13] Also in 2016, China provided aid to Lebanon in order to assist Lebanon in helpingSyrian refugees.[16] Since 2016, China's Special Envoy on theSyrian Crisis Xie Xiaoyan has met regularly with Hezbollah about Syria, discussing efforts to fightterrorism in Syria and the importance of reaching political solutions.[17] On 10 July 2018,CCP general secretaryXi Jinping pledged to provide CN¥600 million ($91 million) in financial aid toJordan, Lebanon, Syria andYemen, as part of a model to revive economic growth in theMiddle East.[18]
From 2000 to 2014, Lebanon had received US$20 million in aid from China.[20] FollowingLebanon's liquidity crisis since 2019, its government has looked to China for economic investments, an approach strongly supported by Lebanese political party and militant group Hezbollah.[21] Lebanese Prime MinisterHassan Diab stated in 2020 that China had offered to help end Lebanon'selectrical power crisis through itsstate companies.[21] The Chinese government also offered to buildpower stations, atunnel, and arailway.[21] Lebanese economist Hasan Moukalled valued the offered project at $12.5 billion.[21] The Lebanese port cityTripoli has been seen as an important link in China'sBelt and Road Initiative.[15]
This potential for further cooperation, though, has been viewed as coming at the cost of Lebanon's historicties with the United States, due to rising tensions betweenChina and the United States.[21] Hezbollah, known for theiranti-Americanism, have advocated for a bigger role for China in Lebanon.[21] Contrary to the United States,[3] China does not view Hezbollah as a terrorist organisation, rather as a "legitimate effort of the Lebanese to protect their country and preserve its sovereignty".[14]
Lebanon was also among the 53 countries supporting China'sHong Kong national security law at the United Nations on 30 June 2020.[22] In September 2021, on the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the bilateral relations between the two countries, Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Ambassador to Lebanon Qian Minjian further stressed China's assistance and cooperation with Lebanon.[23][24]
Media related toRelations of China and Lebanon at Wikimedia Commons
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