Mohamed Mousa Binhuwaidin - Chinas Relations With Arabia and the Gulf 1949-1999

This is the only comprehensive volume available on Chinas relations with countries of the Gulf and Arabian Peninsula, from the establishment of the Peoples Republic of China in 1949 to the end of the twentieth century.

Based on extensive original research, it looks at the relations between China and each of the countries of the region over the entire period. Using a neo-realist theory of international relations, the book provides a theoretical and practical analysis of the conduct of Chinese foreign policy. Chinas Relations with Arabia and the Gulf 19491999 demostrates that two key factors have shaped Chinas foreign policy with the region: Chinas relations with the United States and the Soviet Union, and Chinas drive to increase its economic ties with the countries of the region, especially after becoming a net importer of oil in the early 1990s.

Mohamed Bin Huwaidin argues persuasively that the Gulf and Arabian Peninsula have in fact always been part of Chinas foreign policy agenda, and that the region has been a significant region for China both politically and economically. The book stresses that this region will continue to be key as China pushes towards achieving and sustaining new levels of economic modernization. Scholars working in International Relations, Asian Studies and Politics will find this volume a vital insight into modern Chinese foreign policy.

Mohamed Bin Huwaidin is Assistant Professor in Political Science at United Arab Emirates University.

First published 2002
by RoutledgeCurzon
11 New Fetter Lane, London EC4P 4EE

Simultaneously published in the USA and Canada
by RoutledgeCurzon
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2002 Mohamed Bin Huwaidin

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilized in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers.

British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
Bin Huwaidin, Mohamed, 1969
Chinas relations with Arabia and the Gulf, 19491999 / Mohamed Bin Huwaidin.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 0-7007-1730-7
1. China Foreign relations Arab countries. 2. Arab countries Foreign relations China. 3. China Foreign relations 1949 I. Title.
DS777.8.B57 2002
327.510174927 dc21 2002068012

ISBN 0-203-22167-2 Master e-book ISBN

ISBN 0-203-27622-1 (Adobe eReader Format)
ISBN 0-7007-1730-7 (Print edition)

To my father and mother who believed in me from the day I was born and share their sense of pride in me. They stayed in my mind throughout the time I worked to achieve my goal.

Chinas participation in international organizations, 19601989

Chinas military expenditures official figures, 19761996

Chinas main arms customers by region, 19821986

Chinas main arms customers by region, 19871991

Chinas top arms customers, 19821986

Chinas top arms customers, 19871991

Chinas arms sales to Iran, 19811988

Chinas arms sales to Iraq, 19811988

Chinas arms sales to Iran, 19901997

Chinas production, consumption, export, and deficit of crude oil, 19911997

Iranian arms transfers by major suppliers, 19831997

Omans exports of crude oil by country

Omans main trading partners

Praise be to Allah, the Almighty God, without whose blessings this work could not have been accomplished.

Producing this academic work has been a very significant step in my life. I would like to express my great gratitude and thanks to all those who have helped and encouraged me while producing this work. First of all, my great thanks go to my parents whose blessings kept me encouraged and focused. Second, I am deeply grateful to Professor Anoushiravan Ehteshami of the Centre of Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies at University of Durham, for the perceptive remarks, useful guidance, and kindness he has given me over the period of conducting this study. I owe Professor Hassan Hamdan al-Kim of the Political Sciences Department at United Arab Emirates University and Professor Tim C. Niblock of University of Exeter a great deal for their encouragement and support. I would also like to express my gratitude to United Arab Emirates University, my sponsor, for offering me the opportunity to contribute in the development of my country and the field of my study. Sincere thanks are due to Ms Dulvadee Leewiraphan (Pook) who devoted some of her time and energy to help me produce the technical data required to produce this work.

May God bless them all!

This book focuses on the foreign policy of one of the most important and influential states in todays international system, the Peoples Republic of China (PRC), and attempts to assess its relations with the Gulf and Arabian Peninsula region. The book identifies and explores different forces and variables that have impacted Chinas foreign policy behaviour towards the Gulf and Arabian Peninsula region from the time of the establishment of the PRC in October 1949 until the end of the twentieth century. Its purpose is to establish and develop a comprehensive understanding of Chinas foreign policy behaviour towards the countries of this region. Such an understanding is critical for analysts of Chinas foreign policy and policy makers, particularly in the Gulf and Arabian Peninsula region, to explain and even predict Chinas behaviour towards the region. The book also aims at filling an important gap in the study of Chinas foreign policy. Most of the current works on Chinas foreign policy towards the region deal with this area as part of the bigger picture of Chinas relations with either the Arab world or the Middle East. No other study has dealt comprehensively with the issues of Chinas foreign relations with the countries of the Gulf and Arabian Peninsula region. This work is the first comprehensive attempt at exploring Chinas relations with the region during and after the Cold War. It covers Chinas political, economic, and social interactions with Iraq, Iran, Yemen, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Bahrain.