Routledge Handbook on China-Middle East Relations

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