China’s Interdependent Relations with the Middle East: Prospects for Reconciliation and Peace

Abstract

The emergence of China in the international arena through strengthening the domestic economy and investing the surplus abroad has granted it the central position around the globe. China’s aspiring plan of Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has further contributed to its rise on the world stage. BRI is aimed to link various regions of Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe into the interconnected land and maritime corridors. To transform the project into reality, the Middle East is pivotal for Chinese ambitions since it is located at the crossroads of all the three continents. For this reason, the turbulent region of the Middle East is expected to witness the rise of Chinese involvement. Eventually, as the Chinese involvement would remain primarily economic in nature, the security of these economic ventures is going to transform the political role of China in the longer run. The regional drive of diversification and consolidation of the economies, by the regional states, might also assist China to actively involve politically and initiate the reconciliatory efforts between the regional foes. However, China would be required to ensure that its involvement in the region does not irk Washington, or else the region might become the new arena for geopolitical competition between two global powers.

Keywords

• middle east
• conflict
• bri
• chinese investment
• us-china rivalry
• geopolitics