Rift between Qatar and its neighbours could disrupt key projects in Beijing’s sprawling trade initiative
Julia Hollingsworth
South China Morning Post - Tuesday, 06 June, 2017
A
worsening rift between several Gulf Arab nations along China’s modern
Silk Road trade route will make it harder for China to manage its ties
in the region, according to analysts.
Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi
Arabia, Yemen and the United Arab Emirates all cut diplomatic ties with
Qatar on Monday, citing Doha’s alleged links to terrorism.
The
nations also said they planned to cut air and sea traffic, while Saudi
Arabia announced it would shut its land border with Qatar, cutting the
gas-rich nation off from the rest of the Arabian peninsula.
Qatar denies that it funds extremist groups.
The
nations are involved in Xi Jinping’s ambitious “Belt and Road
Initiative”, which stretches across 65 countries and encompasses Asia,
Africa and Europe.
The Arab peninsula is the top source of oil for
China, the world’s biggest oil importer. Global prices rose in early
trading on Monday.
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