Routledge Handbook on China-Middle East Relations

Description

This handbook brings together a mix of established and emerging international scholars to provide valuable analytical insights as to how China’s growing Middle East presence affects intra-regional development, trade, security, and diplomacy. As the largest extra-regional economic actor in the Middle East, China is the biggest source of foreign direct investment into the region and the largest trading partner for most Middle Eastern states. This portends a larger role in political and security affairs, as the value of Chinese assets combined with a growing expatriate population in the region demand a more proactive role in contributing to regional order. Exploring the effect of these developments, the expert contributors also consider the reverberations in great power politics, as the U.S.A., Russia, India, Japan, and the European Union also have considerable interests in the region. The book is divided into four sections: • historical and policy context • state and regional case studies • trade and development • international relations, security and diplomacy This volume is an essential reference for scholars and policy makers in the fields of international relations, political sociology, international political economy, and foreign policy analysis. Area studies specialists in Middle Eastern Studies, China Studies, and East Asian Studies will also find it an invaluable resource. Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Table of Contents Figures Tables Contributors Part I Overview 1 China’s Emergence as a Middle East Power Notes References 2 China and the Middle East: An Autobiographical Perspective Prologue Epilogue Notes References 3 The Middle East in China’s Global Strategies Political, Military and Economic Parameters Intrinsic to How the Chinese Government Perceives Its Interests China’s Global Strategies China’s Strategies and the Middle Eastern Region: Conditioning Factors Shaping the China–Middle East Relationship Dimensions of Historical Heritage Security Requirements of Regimes and States The Complementarity of Global Visions Economic Needs and Strategies Stages in the Development of China–Middle East Relations Since 1949 1949 to 1978 1979 to 1998 1999 to 2012 2013 to 2020 Future Perspectives: Problems, Challenges and Potential Acknowledgment Notes References 4 China in Middle Eastern Strategic Thinking Cold War Setting China in the Middle East China’s Growing Shadow China’s Deeper Reach Regional Perceptions and Expectations Conclusion Notes References 5 Strategic Convergence Or Strategic Rivalry?: China and America in the Middle East Strategic Rivalries American and Chinese Interests in the Middle East American Interests Chinese Interests A “free-Riding” Dragon? An Evolving Chinese Security Presence? Cooperation With Washington Over Iran Middle Eastern States and Sino-American Strategic Rivalry Economic Diversification Ports and Competition China’s Future MENA Policy in the Context of Strategic Rivalry With the United States Conclusion Author’s Note Notes References Part II Relations Among Regions and States 6 China and the Gulf Region: From Strangers to Partners Historical Overview What the Relationship Means for China What the Relationship Means for the Gulf Region China’s Balanced Policy Conclusion Notes References 7 China and the Levant: Unlike Any Other World Power The World Powers’ Involvement in the Levant: A Historical Perspective The Connectivity Perspective China, the Levant, and the Consolidation of a World Power Position Conclusion Notes References 8 China and North Africa: History, Economic Engagement and Soft Power From Revolutionary Politics to Business Three World Theory Peace and Development Belt and Road Initiative Economic Relations: Win–win Or Win–lose? Trade Investment Chinese Soft Power: A Partial Charm Offensive Development Policy and the Chinese Model Culture and People-To-People Exchange Pandemic Diplomacy Conclusion Notes References 9 China–Egypt Relations During the BRI Era and Beyond The Development of Contemporary China–Egypt Relations: From Ideological Sympathy to Economic Cooperation China–Egypt Relations in the BRI Era: Strategic Synergy Prospects for Future China–Egypt Relations: Beyond Economic Cooperation? Shared Recognition of the State-Led Development Model Security Cooperation for a Stable Development Environment Conclusion Notes References 10 China and Saudi Arabia: From Enmity to Strategic Hedging Historical Review: Changing Camps After Diplomatic Recognition: Growing Interdependence Political Relations: Going Strategic The BRI Era: A Comprehensive Engagement Military and Security Cooperation: Limited in Scope Strategic Outlook: Hedging Against Uncertainty Conclusion Notes References 11 Turkey’s Relations With China and the Belt and Road Initiative Historical Background of Turkish–Chinese Relations Turkish–Chinese Economic Relations in the BRI Era Diplomatic and Political Relations Between Turkey and China What Does the Future Hold? Notes References 12 China–Iran Relations: A Low-Quality Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Pre-BRI History: The Emergence and Stratification of the Current Dysfunction The BRI: An Unfulfilled Ambition? The Post-2016 Politics of China–Iran Relations Security Implications of the Sino-Iranian Partnership China, Iran, and the Gordian Knot of the Status Quo Notes References 13 Israel and China: Past Distance, Present Cooperation, Uncertain Future Past: 1949–2010 Present: 2010–2020 Diplomatic-political Relations in Service of Technological Innovation Current and Future Challenges (2021–) Conclusion Acknowledgment Notes References 14 Frozen in Time: China–Algeria Relations From Socialist Friendship to Pandemic Opportunism The Early Days: Algerian Party Delegation Visits to Beijing Networks and Relationality at the Root of Early China–Algeria Encounters Dividends and Liabilities in Sino-Algerian Relational Network Investments Diplomatic and Cultural Networks Trade and Infrastructure Military and Security Ties Network-building and Sino-Algerian Relations During a Pandemic Looking Ahead: The More Things Change? Notes References 15 Sino-Omani Relations The Historical Dimension The Political Dimension The Security Dimension The Economic Dimension The Cultural Dimension Conclusion Notes References Part III Trade and Development 16 China’s Evolving Energy Relations With the Middle East Introduction Overview of China’s External Energy Strategies Fossil Fuels: Oil and Gas Electrical Power Industries Oil and Gas Engagement Between China and the Middle East The Significance of Middle East Oil and Gas Oil and Gas Trade Oil and Gas Investments China’s Engagement in Middle East Electrical Power Industries Renewable Energy Nuclear Energy Outlook Notes References 17 China’s Approach to Post-Conflict Reconstruction in the Middle East Historical Context and Theatres of Chinese Involvement in Post-Conflict Reconstruction The Objectives of China’s Post-Conflict Reconstruction Initiatives in the Middle East China’s Energy Market Forays and Post-Conflict Reconstruction China’s Infrastructure Investments and Manufacturing Exports in Post-Conflict Reconstruction Zones The Geopolitical Underpinnings of China’s Reconstruction Investments Local Perspectives of China’s Involvement in Post-Conflict Reconstruction Geopolitical Implications of China’s Post-Conflict Reconstruction Investments Concluding Thoughts Notes References 18 China’s Nascent Soft Power Projection in the Middle East and North Africa: Cultural, Educational, and Media Initiatives China’s Formal and Informal Diplomacy in MENA Education and Language Programs Media and Entertainment Conclusion: The Impact of the Chinese Soft Power Projection Notes References 19 Technological Dimensions of China–MENA Economic Relations The Intersection of Digital Development Trajectories Leveraging Technological Comparative Advantages Telecommunications and 5G Medicine and Life Sciences Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Financial Technologies and Payment Platforms Renewable Energy Space Ambitions Digital Free Trade Zones Media Applications and Platforms Paths of Convergence and Divergence Do Roads Diverge in a Desert? Conclusion Notes References Part IV International Relations, Security, and Diplomacy 20 China’s Partnership Diplomacy in the Middle East Dynamics of China’s Partnership Diplomacy in the Middle East China’s Partnership Diplomacy Toward the Pivot and Node States Pivot States Node States China’s Partnership Diplomacy Towards Key and Stronghold States Key States Stronghold States Prospect of China’s Partnership Diplomacy in the Middle East Conclusion Notes References 21 Chinese Private Security Companies in the Middle East Middle Eastern Stability and China’s Private Security Footprint The Chinese Energy Sector’s Security Requirements Complex Personal Accident Risk Insurance Sector: Pricing Risk The International Insurance Sector From the Chinese PSCs’ Perspective Conclusion Notes References 22 Community-Building and Social Engagement: The Overseas Chinese Community in the United Arab Emirates Introduction A Brief History of Chinese Migrants in the Arabian Gulf A Spatial Consideration of the Chinese Community in the UAE Community Building and Civic Engagement: Chinese Expatriate Organizations in the UAE Overseas Chinese, the Chinese State, and China’s Soft Power in the Arabian Gulf Conclusion Notes References 23 The China Model and the Middle East The China Model A Middle East Model? Developmentalism Conclusion Notes References 24 A Tough Job: Chinese Diplomats in the Middle East and North Africa Introduction China’s Eyes in the Middle East The Impact of Knowledge in Policymaking Conclusion Acknowledgment Notes References 25 China and the Palestinian–Israeli Conflict Introduction From the Arab–Israeli Conflict to the Palestinian–Israeli Conflict China’s Position Towards Israel and the Palestinians Conclusion Notes References 26 Chinese Diplomatic Outreach to MENA: Cooperation Forums and Special Envoys Introduction Cooperation Forums Political Cooperation Economic Cooperation Security Cooperation Special Envoys China’s Middle East Issues Special Envoy China’s Special Envoy for Syria Conclusions Author’s Note Notes References Index