SOCIOLOGY OF ISLAM JOURNAL 2016: 1/2
SPECIAL ISSUE: ONE BELT, ONE ROAD: CHINA, ISLAM AND THE MIDDLE EAST
EDITOR: TUGRUL KESKIN, MALTEPE UNIVERSITY AND SHANGHAI UNIVERSITY
Tugrul Keskin
Maltepe University and Shanghai University
Department of Political and Science and International
Relations
Marmara Eğitim Köyü, 34857 Maltepe/İstanbul - Turkey
And
Christian N. Braun
School of Government and International Affairs
The Al-Qasimi Building
Elvet Hill Road
Durham DH1 3TU, UK
Abstract
Between 1949 and the late 1970s, interactions
between China (PRC) and Middle Eastern nations were limited. After China
started to implement economic reforms in 1978, however, the country opened up
to the global economy in general and the Middle East in particular. Since the
1980s, the new Chinese economic dynamic, as a result of its economic reforms,
has significantly increased China’s footprint in the region. China’s distinct
approach has been to secure access to natural resources and new markets while,
at the same time, making sure not to get bogged down in the Middle East’s
political conflicts. However, as we argue in this paper, China’s role has by now
become so prominent that it will be increasingly difficult for China to
maintain its low-profile role. By analyzing the development of China’s role in
the region generally as well as its specific relations to Saudi Arabia, Iran,
Iraq, Turkey and Israel, we conclude that China is likely to become a more
active player in the region.READ MORE.....
