Tugrul Keskin(1) and Christian N. Braun(2)
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.
