Chinese President Xi Jinping meets Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing Photo Xinhua
World – In the ever-changing world of geopolitics, the Middle East has become a focal point for major tectonic shifts. With the decline of American influence and the rise of China, the dynamics between nations in the region are undergoing significant changes.
The world is currently undergoing a structural geopolitical change, with numerous heated countries playing a significant role. The Ukraine war is a prominent event that could potentially alter the trajectory of international relations. The ongoing Ukraine war serves as a notable example of these shifts, much like the Iraq war did three decades ago, explained Ashraf Patel, Senior Research Associate at the Institute for Global Dialogue.
At the core of these conflicts are the superpowers: the United States, Britain, France, Russia, and China. Unlike the Cold War era, where military actions dominated, the current conflict involving China centres around economic and trade interests, infrastructure development, and power projection. It seems as if China has gained an advantage in this new domain of conflict.
“With this conflict with China, the domain is going to be in the area of economic, trade, infrastructure, and which of these power blocks can give the world a better deal. Already we can see China is ahead of the race purely because over the last three decades it has managed to master the globalisation game especially international trade. So, it has an advantage at this point in time.”
China’s emergence as a development and trade superpower
China’s rise as a global economic powerhouse has been fueled by its proficiency in trade and development. Over the last decade, China transformed itself from the “factory of the world” into a leader in various technologies. China used those “golden years” as a means to develop its own industry. For instance, Huawei is now a global leader in 4G and 5G technologies, and China has become the world’s largest auto exporter, surpassing the US and Germany.
“You can see the quality of the motor vehicles which now even matches the quality of the Germans or British at almost 40% less of the costs. In this way China is winning the hearts and minds of global nations with a kind of more affordable deal and a better kind of quality of life but without the kind of high interest rates that comes with development loans.
China’s influence extends beyond its economic prowess. The Belt and Road Initiative, the largest infrastructure development program in the world, connects regions across Eurasia, South Asia, and Africa. With significant financial resources at its disposal, China can fund this program without relying on international institutions.
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China’s Role in the Middle East
For decades, the Middle East has been a strategic centre of US foreign policy. However, the US presence in the region is gradually waning. As the US steps back, China is seizing the opportunity to strengthen its ties with Middle Eastern nations. China is assuming a more responsible role as an emerging superpower with its efforts leading to a peace proposal accepted by both Saudi Arabia and Iran, two regional rivals.
“The U.S in the last decade became fairly self-sufficient in oil. The Middle East is being ditched by the U.S and in this vacuum comes China that, at the right time, has the kind of partnership model that the Middle East nations like. China does not tell them what to do in terms of the whole range of issues. China has now moved in this gap and moved very decisively.”
China’s involvement extends to Afghanistan as well. With the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, the country is in dire need of reconstruction. China, with its abundant resources, is in a position to provide assistance in rebuilding the nation. These examples demonstrate China’s emerging role as a mediator and development partner in the Middle East.
The Palestinian question and the role of China
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains a long-standing issue, partly fueled by Western Europe’s support for Israel. However, new perspectives from Russia and China offer a more holistic approach to the Middle East. The current Israeli government’s direction lacks support from the majority of Israeli citizens, who may be more open to outreach with other nations.
“Russia and China are beginning to look at the Middle East and the Arab world more holistically and not just within that paradigm and I think it’s an important shift. Restoring the rights of Palestinians and stopping the settlements would be the first important thing. China is also looking at potential peace talks in the near future and the regional powers would lead. They would be significant in trying to find a solution that’s acceptable to all parties. The Chinese model is they don’t interfere directly in the political processes of countries. The sovereignty is then maintained.”
The post-COVID world is witnessing major tectonic shifts in geopolitics, with implications for the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the future of Israel and Palestine. As superpowers engage in competitive politics and economics, the rise of China as an economic powerhouse brings forth new dimensions of conflict and cooperation. China’s Belt and Road Initiative, along with its responsible role in the Middle East, presents opportunities for connectivity, economic development, and potential peace talks.
In a captivating conversation with Julie Alli, Ashraf Patel delved into the topic of China’s emerging influence in the Middle East and the potential ramifications for the Israel-Palestine conflict. Their discussion offered a glimpse into a unique and thought-provoking perspective on the future of the Middle East. Listen to that discussion here:
