China has had its own share of international controversies over its policies with Tibet as well as allegations of human rights violations . Russia has sent billions of dollars in arms to Syria . Iran is the most populous Shiite Muslim nation ; al - Assad is Alawite , a Shiite sect . China says it still hopes to see a political change in Syria .
Russia has sent billions of dollars in arms to Syria . Iran is the most populous Shiite Muslim nation ; al - Assad is Alawite , a Shiite sect . China says it still hopes to see a political change in Syria .