China is worried about reports that the Syrian military has given high-level positions to foreign fighters. Specifically they are concerned about people linked to the Turkistan Islamic Party or TIP who are from China’s Xinjiang province. These appointments including positions like brigadier general and colonel have raised alarms because the TIP is a separatist group.
The Chinese government is particularly worried that these individuals are connected to groups like the East Turkistan Islamic Movement or ETIM which are similar to the TIP. China has been fighting these separatist groups in their own country and doesn’t want them involved in Syria’s military. China has asked Syria for more information because they are deeply concerned about this situation and they are worried about instability.
These appointments which include at least six foreign fighters are concerning because it looks like the Syrian army might be connected to groups that some consider to be terrorists. China has always been very clear about its worries about the TIP and ETIM. This situation in Syria has made these worries even worse and raises questions about who the Syrian military is connected to.