Life in Syria Amidst the Turmoil: Personal Stories of Chinese Expats
Amid the ongoing turmoil and escalating conflicts in Syria, the lives of Chinese expatriates residing in the country have been turned upside down. Their once routine-filled daily lives and sense of normalcy are now overshadowed by the constant threat of war and uncertainty. Two such expats, Ms. Qi and Mr. Wang, shared their harrowing experiences and poignant stories.
Ms. Qi, who has called Syria home for the past 16 years, has witnessed the country's tumultuous history. Despite enduring 13 years of civil war, she found herself in a state of panic when a notice was issued on December 5, calling for the evacuation of Chinese nationals. Unlike others who chose to flee, Ms. Qi decided to remain in her home city of Latakia, citing concerns about the safety of the 320-kilometer journey to the nearest exit point in Damascus.
Latakia, a port city in northwestern Syria, has been relatively spared from the brunt of the conflict, but it is not entirely untouched. On December 11, Ms. Qi experienced firsthand the terror of an Israeli air raid that targeted the military port in her city. "The bombs were falling one after another, and the explosions lasted for more than six hours," she recalled. Despite the chaos outside, Ms. Qi found a glimmer of hope when she saw the garbage truck operating as usual the next day, signaling a return to some semblance of normalcy.
However, the reality is far from rosy. Ms. Qi wistfully reminisces about Syria's pre-war days, when electricity and water supply were reliable. Now, she and her fellow citizens endure daily power cuts that stretch up to five hours, followed by intermittent service. "As an ordinary citizen, I only hope for a return to the days of 24-hour electricity and water supply," she said.
The economic situation in Syria has deteriorated drastically, with the Syrian pound losing its value against the US dollar. The resulting inflation has made basic commodities unaffordable for many, with a bottle of Coca-Cola now costing 25,000 Syrian pounds—a price that would have fetched several dozen bottles in pre-war times.
Unlike Ms. Qi, Mr. Wang chose to evacuate Syria at the first opportunity. He had arrived in the country a year and a half ago, intending to explore business opportunities in exporting solar panels and power banks, which were in high demand due to the frequent power outages. However, the escalating conflict forced him to reconsider his plans.
On December 7, Mr. Wang learned about the outbreak of war in Aleppo, Syria's largest city. Although it was distant from Damascus, he sensed that the situation was deteriorating rapidly. By December 8, he and four friends had rented a car and embarked on a journey to Lebanon, the only remaining open border crossing.
The journey was fraught with danger. They heard gunshots and artillery explosions as they traveled, and witnessed countless Syrian families fleeing their homes, some with little more than the clothes on their backs. "It was heart-wrenching to see so many people in despair, not knowing whether they would survive the next day," Mr. Wang said.
Upon reaching the Lebanese border, Mr. Wang and his friends were greeted with a stark contrast to the war-torn landscape they had left behind. "It felt like I had been transported back to modern society, where electricity is a given," he remarked.
In Syria, Mr. Wang witnessed the dire consequences of the conflict on ordinary lives. Many families struggle to make ends meet, with some children as young as ten having to drop out of school to work. The average monthly salary is less than 300 Chinese yuan, yet the cost of living remains high, comparable to that of second- or third-tier cities in China.
Before leaving, Mr. Wang was invited to a farewell dinner by his Syrian friends. "They didn't know what would happen to them the next day, so they treated it as our last meal together," he said, choking up. "They wished me safe travels and hoped that I would remember them."
The stories of Ms. Qi and Mr. Wang are but a glimpse into the lives of Chinese expatriates in Syria, a country ravaged by years of conflict. While some choose to stay and endure, others flee in search of safety and stability. Both paths are fraught with challenges, but they represent the resilience and hope that persist even in the darkest of times.
英文改写自《新周刊》微信公众号文章
对话叙利亚华人：撤离前，叙利亚朋友约我吃最后一餐
