China and the Challenges in Greater Middle East
Tuesday November 10, 2015
Danish Institute for International Studies
Tuesday, 10 November 2015, 09.00-16.00
DIIS, Danish Institute for International Studies
Auditorium
Gl. Kalkbrænderi Vej 51A
2100 Copenhagen
Background
Is the balance of power between the USA and China changing in the Persian Gulf? Will China’s increasing economic interest in the Gulf lead to a more activist Chinese foreign and security policy there? What are the expectations from the Arab Gulf States to China and will China cope with them?
Even though the US has provided the security umbrella in the region, its handling of ethnic conflicts and civil wars has irritated members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Political developments, including 9/11 and the Arab Spring, have forced the member states of the GCC to take action to avoid the spread of democratic movements and reforms, while seeking to handle their own affairs without interference from the US, EU and UN. Problems in GCC–US relations also make GCC states look eastwards for new partners, providing a power vacuum and opportunity for China to edge in.
China has expanding economic involvement in the Gulf, not least in oil: the majority of its oil comes from the Gulf. Although China is trying to diversify its energy supplies from the Middle East, it will remain dependent on the Gulf for years to come. With expanding trade, investment and contract work in the Gulf, China seeks to protect its assets and citizens there. It can no longer follow the old diplomatic strategy of keeping a low profile and keeping business and politics separate. China has learned from crises in Libya and Sudan and changed its policy from non-intervention to active mediation, supporting UN sanctions, contributing to UN peacekeeping missions and securing peacekeeping to protect its oil interests.
Doubts remain both within the GCC and in Chinese policymaking circles as to what extent China should be strategically involved in the Gulf, and China does not seek to challenge or replace the US as the security provider of the Middle East. However, there is no doubt that active pragmatism has become China’s guiding diplomatic strategy and that we will see more political and strategic activities from China in the region. China will take a more active role in fighting extremism at home as well as in the Greater Middle East including Afghanistan and Iraq. How will that play out?
Speakers
N. Janardhan, UAE
Jiadong Zhang, Fudan University
Imad Mansour, Qatar University
Camilla Sørensen, Copenhagen University, Denmark
Miwa Hirono, Ritsumeikan University, Japan
Jonas Parello-Plesner, author of book 'China's Strong Arm'
Marc Lanteigne, Senior Research Fellow, Norwegian Institute of International Affairs
Ding Long, University of International Business and Economics, China
Luke Patey, Senior Researcher, DIIS, Denmark
Lars Erslev Andersen, Research coordinator, DIIS, Denmark
Programme
9.00-9.10
Welcome and introduction
Lars Erslev Andersen, Research coordinator, DIIS, Denmark
9:10-10.10
Keynote speeches
Jiadong Zhang, Fudan University. China-the Middle East Relations: New Challenges and New Approach
Imad Mansour, Qatar University. Can China Be a Pillar of GCC Security?
Q & A
10.10-10.30
Coffee break
10.30-12.00
China’s activism abroad
Camilla Sørensen, Copenhagen University. China in search of ‘legitimate’ great power intervention
Miwa Hirono, Ritsumeikan University, Japan. China’s proactive diplomacy in Afghanistan: contradiction between the principle of non-interference and the diplomatic practice
Jonas Parello-Plesner, Author of the book 'China's Strong Arm'. China caught in Libyas internal conflict in 2011 - the dilemmas of protecting Chinese nationals and assets
12.00–13.00
Lunch
13.00-14.30
China’s security and business interests in the greater Middle East and international ramifications
Marc Lanteigne, NUPI. China's Diplomacy in the Gulf Region: Energy and (In)Security
Luke Patey, DIIS. Many Chinas, few solutions: Crisis diplomacy in the Sudans
14.30 -14.45
Coffee break
14.45-16.00
How does China counter extremism at home and in the greater Middle East
Ding Long, University of International Business and Economics, China. China’s encounter with Islamic extremism at home and abroad
N. Janardhan, UAE. Chinas conundrum – piggyback or pay and ride?
Practical information
The seminar will be in English.
Participation is free of charge, but registration is required. Please use our online registration form no later than Monday, 9 November 2015 at 12.00 noon.
