Russia might have helped Bashar al-Assad gain a military edge in the Syrian Civil War, but the peace will be won by China, which is eagerly waiting to pour billions of dollars to rebuild Syria's war ravaged economy and immensely boost its political and economic influence in the process.

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Russia doesn't have the money to rebuild the Syrian economy thanks to three years of punishing economic sanctions imposed by the West following Russia's invasion of the Ukraine in March 2014, and its subsequent invasion of eastern Ukraine, which has stalled.

But Russia does have money for the missiles and bombs that continue to destroy Syrian cities, towns and vital infrastructure. Without money to assist Syria rebuild, however, Russia will have no role to play in a post-civil war economy.

That's where China comes in. China's quiet military involvement in the Syrian Civil War has been limited to providing military advisers and simple weapons such as Chinese-made machine guns, assault rifles, anti-tank guided missiles and armed aerial drones plus their missiles and smart bombs.

It's been estimated Syria will need a staggering $1 trillion to recover and reconstruct -- money it certainly doesn't have, and neither does Russia.

Oil-rich Gulf countries -- most of whom are part of a coalition determined to overthrow Assad -- won't pay for the reconstruction if Assad stays in power, and neither will economically-challenged Iran.

And, of course, the United States won't lift an economic finger to help Assad and Vladimir Putin despite an autocratic Donald Trump's affections for his kindred autocrat, Vladimir Putin.

That leaves China as the only power with pockets deep enough to restart Syria's shattered economy.

China, however, will want a quid pro quo for its multi-billion dollar investments.

China will demand economic incentives advantageous for Chinese investments; more lenient laws favorable to China; more access to Syrian markets; a naval base for its navy along the Mediterranean Sea and more political and military influence over Assad.

China and Assad are old friends with a friendship dating back to the start of this century.

In 2004, Assad was the first Syrian leader to make a state visit to China. Before the start of the Syria Civil War in 2010, China was Syria's top trading partner, ahead of Russia.

In 1988, China sold M-9 missiles to Syria, and in 1996, started selling military technology.

In turn, Syria was the first Arab country to recognize the People's Republic of China and send an ambassador to Beijing in 1956.

TagsRussia, Bashar al-Assad, Syrian Civil War, china, donald trump, Vladimir Putin