Skip to main content

China emerges as potential investor as Lebanon runs low on options

As Lebanon struggles to find countries willing to provide financial assistance during its economic meltdown, China seems to emerge as a serious contender.
A Lebanese protester lifts a placard which reads "850 staff were laid-off while staff of the (defunct) railroads sector still get paid" during a demonstration of former employees of the American University Medical Center outside the hospital in the capital Beirut, on July 20, 2020, after they were dismissed from their jobs last week as part of a series of sweeping layoffs planned for the American University of Beirut and its medical center to cope with a severe recession resulting from the country's economi

As the crisis-hit country continues to seek financial assistance from the international community and the Gulf without signs of promise, Lebanon is looking east at investments from the People’s Republic of China.

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah suggested in a televised address June 16 that Lebanon should welcome Chinese investments in key infrastructure projects. Nasrallah also blamed Washington for the dollar shortage and implied that China could offer a vital counterweight. 

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.