China and the Middle East
There are currently few sources of reference from a Middle Eastern standpoint on the role that the Peoples Republic of China is currently playing in the Middle East and North Africa region. In this book, Dr Muhamad Olimat aims to analyse different perspectives in order to deepen the understanding of scholars and strategic planners alike, in order to offer a complete economic and political overview of the situation. China and Middle Eastern relations date back from the Silk Road and stretch to the current Arab Spring. Chinas relations with the Middle East are highlighted in terms of energy, trade, arms sales, culture and political ties with key countries in the region: Saudi Arabia, Iran, Israel, Algeria and the United Arab Emirates. Chinas bilateral relations with each of these countries are based on a particularly critical aspect that determines its interest in the region. The core of Chinas relations with Israel, for instance, is weapons sales and advanced technology, while relations with Saudi Arabia are based on oil. Iran and China are tied with deep historical, civilizational, cultural and political bonds, although oil is also the primary focus of Chinas current interest in Iran. Chinas national interests in and relations and strategic partnerships with the Middle East are only increasing; this book aims to analyze and interpret these relations in this time of major change in the Middle East.
The book includes discussion of and comment on:
Chinas deep involvement in the Middle East since the Silk Road
The new Silk Road of trade, oil, arms sales, political and cultural relations
Chinas oil investments in the Middle East
Chinas reaction to the Arab Spring
Muhamad S. Olimat, is an Assistant Professor of international relations at Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research (KUSTAR) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Prior to joining KUSTAR, Dr Olimat taught and conducted research at the University of South Florida in St Petersburg, Missouri State University and several other US higher educational institutions. His area of expertise is Middle East politics, and his research focuses on China and the Middle East, socio-political and economic development in the Middle East, and US foreign policy towards the region. He has published several articles and book chapters on China and the Middle East, the Arab Spring, transition to democracy, women and politics in the Middle East, and the role of Islam in the politics of the Middle East.
First published 2013
by Routledge
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Simultaneously published in the USA and Canada
by Routledge
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2013 Muhamad S.Olimat
The right of Muhamad S. Olimat to be identified as editor of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised 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.
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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
Olimat, Muhamad.
China and the Middle East : from Silk Road to Arab Spring / Muhamad
Olimat. First edition.
pages cm
Includes bibliographical references and index.
1. ChinaForeign economic relationsMiddle East. 2. Middle East
Foreign economic relationsChina. 3. Silk Road. 4. Arab Spring, 2010 I. Title.
HF1604.Z4M628 2012
382.0951056-dc23
2012028085
ISBN: 978-1-85743-631-0 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-0-203-07312-4 (ebk)
Typeset in Times New Roman
by Taylor & Francis Books
Europa Commissioning Editor: Cathy Hartley
In loving memory of my parents, Salem and Eda
To my children, Jennah and Kasum
Contents
Illustrations
Figures
Tables
Acknowledgements
I would like to acknowledge the support and encouragement of my family, especially my brothers Ahmed and Hmoud. Special thanks to my good friend and editor Emilia Garofalo. Your encouragement, editing skills and support made all the difference in the completion of the book. I would also like to thank my colleagues and friends at the Institute for Civil and International Security at Khalifa University, especially Micheline Ishay for her encouragement and support, as well as David Goldfischer and Mohamad Zieneddin. Thanks to colleagues at KUSTARs library especially Patricia and Dorothy.
Many thanks also to Greg Moore, Ken Rutherford, Frank Biafora, Thomas Smith, Hugh LaFollette, Beat Kernen and Margie Buechner for their support and encouragement. I am grateful to Di Wang, Sangeeta Sinha, Hamid Ali and Ryad Yemany for their assistance in data collection. Finally, thanks also to Cathy Hartley at Routledge for her enthusiasm for the project and her support throughout the process of submitting the proposal and on to publication.
Abbreviations
ADNOC | Abu Dhabi National Oil Company |
AEW | Airborne EARLY WARNING |
AU | African Union |
AWACS | Airborne early warning and control system |
CCP | Chinese Communist Party |
CIA | Central Intelligence Agency |
CNOOC | China National Offshore Oil Corporation |
CNPC | China National Petroleum Corporation |
CSCE | China State Construction Engineering Corpn Ltd. |
DR | Dongfeng or East Wind Missiles CSS-2 |
EIA | Energy Information Administration, USA |
FDI | Foreign direct investment |
FLN | National Liberation Front |
FOCAC | Forum on ChinaAfrica Cooperation |
FTZ | Free trade zone |
GA | General Assembly |
GCC | Gulf Cooperation Council |
GNPOC | Greater Nile Petroleum Operating Company |
IAEA | International Atomic Energy Agency |
IAI | Israel Aerospace Industries |
ICBC | Industrial and Commercial Bank of China |
ICI | IsraelChina Institute |
IEA | International Energy Agency |
IMF | International Monetary Fund |
Intifada | Uprising |
KPC | Kuwait Petroleum Corporation |
MENA | Middle East and North Africa |
MTCR | Missile Technology Control Regime |
NPT | Nuclear Non-proliferation treaty |
OFFP | Oil-for-food Programme |
OIC | Organization of Islamic Cooperation |
PFLP | Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine |
PFOAG | Popular Front for the Liberation of Occupied Arabian Gulf |
PLO | Palestinian Liberation Organization |