China-Syria trade rises by hundreds of millions of dollars as China launches industrial investments
The value of Syrian imports from China reached approximately $669.9 million during the first six months of 2026, exceeding in just half a year the total value of Chinese exports to Syria in 2025.
In 2026, China's economic activity in Syria surged, with imports from China skyrocketing to nearly $670 million in just six months. This marked a significant jump from the previous year's trade volume of about $389 million, including Chinese exports worth around $386 million. The trade imbalance was stark, as Syrian exports to China were only around $1.3 million in the same period, highlighting China's dominance in the bilateral trade.
China's industrial investments in Syria were expanding rapidly, with new deals valued at approximately $500 million set to take place in the Hassia Industrial City in Homs province. These projects encompass a steel rolling facility, ceramics factory, construction materials plant, asphalt plant, and a stone quarry. The partnership extends beyond trade, with China investing in infrastructure, factory rehabilitation, and public works.
Recent cooperation initiatives between China and Syria, such as the signing of a memorandum of understanding in July and the launch of the "Syrian International Smart Industrial Cities" platform in June, aim to deepen economic ties. These include joint business forums, technology transfer support, and training programs. While the trade imbalance remains a defining characteristic of their relationship, if the Hassia Industrial City projects progress to implementation, it could signify a shift towards more direct Chinese investment, manufacturing, and technology transfer in Syria's economy.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
