Tracing China in the Middle East

Описание: China is placing itself as a major economic and political player in most corners of the world today, and the Middle East is no different. Traditional balance of power is today being skewed by a rapidly advancing Chinese economy, with its military and diplomacy in tow while Western power in the region, led by the US, is waning as per an increasingly vocal section of analysts, academics and politicians alike.

In midst of these changes, there is a palpable effort by Middle East states to shore up their own defences. The Abraham Accords signed in 2020 ended an official embargo between Israel and a group of Arab states led by the UAE. Even Saudi Arabia is today more vocal about its improving relations with Israel, as the region’s relations with Iran get even more fractious. In midst of these changes, Beijing has found itself as a partner to all the sides around the region’s political and sectarian crevasses. But is this sustainable? Can China be an antithesis to the US? And if not, what is Beijing’s developing role in the Middle East for the near future?

Panellists:

Camille Lons: Research Associate, International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS) and Taiwan Fellow with the National Taiwan University

Navdeep Suri: Distinguished Fellow, Observer Research Foundation, former Indian Ambassador to UAE, Egypt, and former High Commissioner to Australia

Jonathan Fulton: Assistant Professor of Political Science, Zayed University, UAE and Senior Non-resident Fellow, The Atlantic Council

Carice Witte: Founder and Executive Director, Sino-Israel Global Network & Academic Leadership (SIGNAL)

Kabir Taneja (moderator): Fellow, Strategic Studies Programme, Observer Research Foundation

#MiddleEast #ChinaInMiddleEast