by Chen Shilei
Xinhua| 2017-03-15
BEIJING, March 15 (Xinhua) -- As some scapegoat globalization for
their sluggish economy, others remain open and cooperative to explore
business opportunities and reap win-win fruits.
Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud starts a state visit to China
Wednesday, which is expected to be a main course of the 81-year-old
king's one-month Asia tour.
Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a state visit to Saudi Arabia in
January 2016, during which the two countries lift their ties to a
comprehensive strategic partnership.
The China-Saudi Arabia ties can develop in a rapid and sound way
because the Mideast country sees China's rise as an opportunity and
appreciates China's proposals for regional and cross-continental
development.
Saudi Arabia is one of the first countries that have responded
positively to China's Belt and the Road Initiative, which was proposed
by Xi in 2013 with an aim to build a trade and infrastructure network
connecting Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient Silk Road trade
routes by land and sea.
So far, Chinese businesses have helped build 56 economic and trade
cooperation zones in 20 countries along the routes with a combined
investment surpassing 18.5 billion U.S. dollars, generating nearly 1.1
billion dollars in tax revenue and 180,000 jobs in those countries.
READ MORE.....
Wednesday, March 15, 2017
King Salman's visit to China
By Sajjad Malik
China.org.cn, March 15, 2017
China.org.cn, March 15, 2017
Saudi monarch King Salman bin Abdul Aziz
Al-Saud is paying an historic visit to China this week as part of
efforts to diversify and deepen ties with leading Asian countries.
Before reaching China, he visited Malaysia, Indonesia and Japan where he
signed numerous agreements to improve economic cooperation. Saudi Arabia is passing through a
critical stage in history. The changes in the region and global
realignments have created a quest for fresh relationships. Hence, a kind
of scramble to secure interests has begun. The process started when the
global powers led by the United States signed a deal to end the nuclear
impasse with Iran. The agreement allowed Iran to rid itself
of international sanctions and play a more robust regional role. As a
sign of this, it has stolen a march in Syria and helped the incumbent
leader Bashar al-Assad become stronger after six years of internal
fighting. It means that Saudi policy to throw him
out through the power of the gun has failed. Iran, along with Russia,
played the leading role in overturning the long-existent power chess
board in Syria.
READ MORE....
Will Engagement in the Middle East Change China?
JSTOR DAILY - MARCH 2017
A visit by Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah to China in mid-March marks China’s increasing involvement in the Middle East. In recent decades, China has moved toward superpower status, building economic alliances and making investments around the world.
A few years ago Massoud Hayoun examined the beginnings of a deep Chinese engagement in the Middle East, and the tensions between the new international focus and the Asian giant’s attitudes about pluralism and tolerance at home. Hayoun writes that China began a big push toward involvement in the Arab and Muslim world after the 9/11 attacks. Chinese diplomats contrasted their desire to engage with the Middle East against an image of the United States as Islamophobic and imperialistic.
Between 2005 and 2009, Hayoun writes, China nearly doubled its exports to the Middle East. In 2010 it surpassed the U.S. as the biggest exporter to the region. It’s also become the largest buyer of Middle Eastern oil. As China increased its economic engagement with majority-Muslim nations, it has made gestures toward supporting its Muslim minority at home. Hayoun describes visiting the site of a mosque being built in the city of Guangzhou in 2010, paid for mostly by local officials with some support from Muslim workers in the area. He writes that a Guangzhou official indicated the project was less about the religious needs of the city’s Muslim residents than it was a way “to welcome China’s international Muslim neighbors, including the major exporters of natural gas and oil, like Kazakhstan, to the Asian Games being held in the city that November.”
China has also used its Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, a predominantly Muslim area, as the setting for a meeting with Arab state leaders. The visitors could watch traditional ethnic Uighur dancing, eat local halal cuisine, and view exhibits on Chinese Muslim culture.
And yet, even while making these overtures to the Muslim world, the Chinese government has committed human rights violations against its Muslim minorities. One teacher told Hayoun that local authorities had instructed teachers to force-feed their Muslim Uighur students during the Ramadan fast in 2010. And human rights organizations reported that Chinese officials prevented minors from attending mosques with their parents.
China’s checkered reputation sometimes hurts its work in the Middle East. For example, the Chinese-funded Algerian East-West Highway project and Grand Mosque of Algiers came under fire from local press in Algeria. In part, that was a result of reported mismanagement and bounced checks to local subcontractors, but it also reflected larger issues. As one online commentator to an Algerian paper put it, “Can we entrust an atheist enterprise from an atheist state that represses its own Uighur minority in Xinjiang to construct a mosque here in Algeria?”
That’s the kind of question China will face more often as it works to expand its global power.
DOWNLOAD THE ARTICLE.....
A visit by Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah to China in mid-March marks China’s increasing involvement in the Middle East. In recent decades, China has moved toward superpower status, building economic alliances and making investments around the world.
A few years ago Massoud Hayoun examined the beginnings of a deep Chinese engagement in the Middle East, and the tensions between the new international focus and the Asian giant’s attitudes about pluralism and tolerance at home. Hayoun writes that China began a big push toward involvement in the Arab and Muslim world after the 9/11 attacks. Chinese diplomats contrasted their desire to engage with the Middle East against an image of the United States as Islamophobic and imperialistic.
Between 2005 and 2009, Hayoun writes, China nearly doubled its exports to the Middle East. In 2010 it surpassed the U.S. as the biggest exporter to the region. It’s also become the largest buyer of Middle Eastern oil. As China increased its economic engagement with majority-Muslim nations, it has made gestures toward supporting its Muslim minority at home. Hayoun describes visiting the site of a mosque being built in the city of Guangzhou in 2010, paid for mostly by local officials with some support from Muslim workers in the area. He writes that a Guangzhou official indicated the project was less about the religious needs of the city’s Muslim residents than it was a way “to welcome China’s international Muslim neighbors, including the major exporters of natural gas and oil, like Kazakhstan, to the Asian Games being held in the city that November.”
China has also used its Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, a predominantly Muslim area, as the setting for a meeting with Arab state leaders. The visitors could watch traditional ethnic Uighur dancing, eat local halal cuisine, and view exhibits on Chinese Muslim culture.
And yet, even while making these overtures to the Muslim world, the Chinese government has committed human rights violations against its Muslim minorities. One teacher told Hayoun that local authorities had instructed teachers to force-feed their Muslim Uighur students during the Ramadan fast in 2010. And human rights organizations reported that Chinese officials prevented minors from attending mosques with their parents.
China’s checkered reputation sometimes hurts its work in the Middle East. For example, the Chinese-funded Algerian East-West Highway project and Grand Mosque of Algiers came under fire from local press in Algeria. In part, that was a result of reported mismanagement and bounced checks to local subcontractors, but it also reflected larger issues. As one online commentator to an Algerian paper put it, “Can we entrust an atheist enterprise from an atheist state that represses its own Uighur minority in Xinjiang to construct a mosque here in Algeria?”
That’s the kind of question China will face more often as it works to expand its global power.
DOWNLOAD THE ARTICLE.....
Saudi king’s visit puts Beijing in Middle East spotlight
Beijing and Riyadh do not see eye to eye on conflict in Syria, analysts say
SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST - Tuesday, 14 March, 2017
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman begins his first official visit to Beijing on Wednesday, placing China’s increasingly active role in the Middle East in the spotlight once again. The visit by King Salman, arguably the most strategically significant leg of his month-long, six-nation tour of Asia, comes as Beijing has intensified its diplomatic efforts and become increasingly vocal on many of the region’s hotspots, especially the Syria, in a bid to expand its influence in the Middle East. China sided with Russia last month to block a United Nations Security Council resolution that would have imposed new sanctions on the Syrian government for using chemical weapons against its own people. It was the sixth veto cast by Beijing during the six-year Syrian conflict to protect the Assad regime from tougher international punishment. Chinese diplomats, speaking on condition of anonymity, said China’s firm stance on Syria, along with King Salman’s visit, demonstrated the country’s growing confidence in its ability to project power in a multipolar world.
READ MORE....
SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST - Tuesday, 14 March, 2017
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman begins his first official visit to Beijing on Wednesday, placing China’s increasingly active role in the Middle East in the spotlight once again. The visit by King Salman, arguably the most strategically significant leg of his month-long, six-nation tour of Asia, comes as Beijing has intensified its diplomatic efforts and become increasingly vocal on many of the region’s hotspots, especially the Syria, in a bid to expand its influence in the Middle East. China sided with Russia last month to block a United Nations Security Council resolution that would have imposed new sanctions on the Syrian government for using chemical weapons against its own people. It was the sixth veto cast by Beijing during the six-year Syrian conflict to protect the Assad regime from tougher international punishment. Chinese diplomats, speaking on condition of anonymity, said China’s firm stance on Syria, along with King Salman’s visit, demonstrated the country’s growing confidence in its ability to project power in a multipolar world.
READ MORE....
Tuesday, March 14, 2017
A New Report: Other the World side of the China, the United States, and the Struggle for Middle East Security
JON B. ALTERMAN
CSIS - March 14, 2017
As China looks westward for energy security, it finds the United States in a dominant position in the Middle East. China faces fundamental choices as to how it will manage its own rise without either clashing with the United States or creating undue burdens for itself as the largest Asian power. As the United States seeks to commit more attention to the Pacific, it must decide how it will seek to shape the Chinese role in the Middle East and how much of a role it wants to reserve to itself. The challenges for both countries manifest themselves especially in the space between East Asia and the Middle East, a space that, from a U.S. perspective, is truly the other side of the world.
In this Brzezinski Institute report, Jon Alterman considers the ways in which the U.S. and Chinese governments have approached the Middle East and the Asian space leading to it and the implications that potential shifts would have not only for their bilateral ties but also for the future of geopolitics more broadly.
This report is available for download in English, Arabic, and Mandarin.
CSIS - March 14, 2017
As China looks westward for energy security, it finds the United States in a dominant position in the Middle East. China faces fundamental choices as to how it will manage its own rise without either clashing with the United States or creating undue burdens for itself as the largest Asian power. As the United States seeks to commit more attention to the Pacific, it must decide how it will seek to shape the Chinese role in the Middle East and how much of a role it wants to reserve to itself. The challenges for both countries manifest themselves especially in the space between East Asia and the Middle East, a space that, from a U.S. perspective, is truly the other side of the world.
In this Brzezinski Institute report, Jon Alterman considers the ways in which the U.S. and Chinese governments have approached the Middle East and the Asian space leading to it and the implications that potential shifts would have not only for their bilateral ties but also for the future of geopolitics more broadly.
This report is available for download in English, Arabic, and Mandarin.
Sunday, March 12, 2017
China stresses friendship with Saudi Arabia and Iran
MIDDLE EAST MONITOR - March 8, 2017
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi hopes to resolve differences with Saudi Arabia through talks, ahead of a visit by Saudi King Abdullah next week. Describing China as a friend to both Saudi Arabia and Iran, Wang said that his country welcomes Salman’s visit, which the foreign ministry confirmed would take place from 15-18March. China has traditionally played little role in Middle East conflicts or diplomacy, despite its reliance on the region for oil. But it has been trying to get more involved in efforts to end Syria’s six-year civil war, where Riyadh supports opposition groups battling President Bashar Al-Assad. Iran, on the other hand, backs Al-Assad’s attempts to remain in power.
READ MORE....
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi hopes to resolve differences with Saudi Arabia through talks, ahead of a visit by Saudi King Abdullah next week. Describing China as a friend to both Saudi Arabia and Iran, Wang said that his country welcomes Salman’s visit, which the foreign ministry confirmed would take place from 15-18March. China has traditionally played little role in Middle East conflicts or diplomacy, despite its reliance on the region for oil. But it has been trying to get more involved in efforts to end Syria’s six-year civil war, where Riyadh supports opposition groups battling President Bashar Al-Assad. Iran, on the other hand, backs Al-Assad’s attempts to remain in power.
READ MORE....
China hopeful Saudi and Iran can resolve problems
Tehran Times - March 9, 2017
China has traditionally played a limited role in the Middle East conflicts or politics, despite relying on the region for oil. However, lately it has been trying to get more involved in efforts to end the Syrian conflict, where Saudi Arabia backs the armed opposition groups and Iran supports Bashar al-Assad’s government.
Last year, China offered support for Yemen’s government, which is backed by a Saudi-led coalition in a war against the Houthis, which Saudi Arabia accuses Iran of supporting them militarily.
However, China has to act carefully, as it also has close relations with Iran. President Xi Jinping visited both Saudi Arabia and Iran in January last year.
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman’s visit to China would take place from March 15 to 18.
READ MORE.....
China has traditionally played a limited role in the Middle East conflicts or politics, despite relying on the region for oil. However, lately it has been trying to get more involved in efforts to end the Syrian conflict, where Saudi Arabia backs the armed opposition groups and Iran supports Bashar al-Assad’s government.
Last year, China offered support for Yemen’s government, which is backed by a Saudi-led coalition in a war against the Houthis, which Saudi Arabia accuses Iran of supporting them militarily.
However, China has to act carefully, as it also has close relations with Iran. President Xi Jinping visited both Saudi Arabia and Iran in January last year.
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman’s visit to China would take place from March 15 to 18.
READ MORE.....
Tuesday, March 7, 2017
Beijing willing to play ‘necessary role’ in Middle East peace process, says Chinese foreign minister
South China Morning Post - Wednesday, 08 March, 2017
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi is meeting the press this morning on the sidelines of the country’s annual plenary meetings in Beijing. Wang will speak on issues including Sino-US relations, the situation in the Korean Peninsula. Here are the highlights of his remarks as they flow in.
Wang said China welcomed the imminent visit of King Salman bin Abdulaziz al Saud of Saudi Arabia and wanted to play a “necessary role” in the Middle East peace process.
Fighting terrorism, pursuing political resolutions and keeping the United Nations at the driver’s seat were three indispensable principles that must be held on to as the Middle East situation reached a critical crossroad, he said.
“There are both risks to worse turbulence but also hopes for peace,” Wang said.
READ MORE....
China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi is meeting the press this morning on the sidelines of the country’s annual plenary meetings in Beijing. Wang will speak on issues including Sino-US relations, the situation in the Korean Peninsula. Here are the highlights of his remarks as they flow in.
Wang said China welcomed the imminent visit of King Salman bin Abdulaziz al Saud of Saudi Arabia and wanted to play a “necessary role” in the Middle East peace process.
Fighting terrorism, pursuing political resolutions and keeping the United Nations at the driver’s seat were three indispensable principles that must be held on to as the Middle East situation reached a critical crossroad, he said.
“There are both risks to worse turbulence but also hopes for peace,” Wang said.
READ MORE....
Uzbekistan delays building 4th leg of gas pipeline to China
Demir Azizov
Trend - 4 March 2017
Uzbekistan postponed construction of the fourth leg of a gas pipeline running to China for an indefinite term, the national holding company Uzbekneftegaz told Trend March 3. "The project was delayed by agreement with the Chinese side," an official with the company said, not specifying the reason for this decision. "We did not abandon the project but a decision on it will most likely be made in 2017," said the company official. The start of construction of the fourth leg of the gas pipeline was repeatedly put off – initially, the construction was planned to be started in 2015 but then it was postponed to 2016. The change in plans was explained by a delay in preparation of the project feasibility study and creation of an operating company. The Uzbekistan-China gas pipeline is a part of the Central Asia-China gas pipeline running through the territory of Uzbekistan. An agreement to construct and operate the gas pipeline with a capacity of 30 billion cubic meters of gas per year was signed between Uzbekistan and China in 2013. The project’s operator on the Uzbek section of the pipeline is the Uzbekistan-China joint venture Asia Trans Gas LLC, created by Uzbekneftegaz and CNPC. Asia Trans Gas LLC has constructed three legs of the pipeline running through Uzbekistan. Currently, the total length of the Central Asia-China gas pipeline is about 7,000 kilometers and the capacity of its three legs is 55 billion cubic meters of gas.
Trend - 4 March 2017
Uzbekistan postponed construction of the fourth leg of a gas pipeline running to China for an indefinite term, the national holding company Uzbekneftegaz told Trend March 3. "The project was delayed by agreement with the Chinese side," an official with the company said, not specifying the reason for this decision. "We did not abandon the project but a decision on it will most likely be made in 2017," said the company official. The start of construction of the fourth leg of the gas pipeline was repeatedly put off – initially, the construction was planned to be started in 2015 but then it was postponed to 2016. The change in plans was explained by a delay in preparation of the project feasibility study and creation of an operating company. The Uzbekistan-China gas pipeline is a part of the Central Asia-China gas pipeline running through the territory of Uzbekistan. An agreement to construct and operate the gas pipeline with a capacity of 30 billion cubic meters of gas per year was signed between Uzbekistan and China in 2013. The project’s operator on the Uzbek section of the pipeline is the Uzbekistan-China joint venture Asia Trans Gas LLC, created by Uzbekneftegaz and CNPC. Asia Trans Gas LLC has constructed three legs of the pipeline running through Uzbekistan. Currently, the total length of the Central Asia-China gas pipeline is about 7,000 kilometers and the capacity of its three legs is 55 billion cubic meters of gas.
Monday, March 6, 2017
Palestinian college students rush to take Chinese language course
RAMALLAH, West Bank — Birzeit University is now the first Palestinian college to teach the Chinese language, and officials there think a lone course could expand into a bachelor's program.
Ahmad Melhem is a Palestinian journalist and photographer based in Ramallah for Al-Watan News. He writes for a number of Arabic outlets.
AL-MONITOR - MARCH 2, 2017
The university launched the course Feb. 11, at the beginning of the academic year's second term, and student interest has been high, Magdi Abu Zahra, director of the school's Department of Languages and Translation, told Al-Monitor.
"The call for registration in Chinese courses surprised the students because Chinese is among the toughest languages to learn in the world and differs from other foreign languages taught at the university," Abu Zahra said. "Still, there was a high turnout, and the required number of students to open the class, which is 25, was met. Due to the high number of students insisting on learning Chinese, 30 students were accepted instead of only 25, and other registration applications await approval."
In fact, although the course currently is open to students only, Abu Zahra said businesspeople and traders applied to take it, believing it could help them in their work, as they have economic and trade ties with China.
READ MORE....
Ahmad Melhem is a Palestinian journalist and photographer based in Ramallah for Al-Watan News. He writes for a number of Arabic outlets.
AL-MONITOR - MARCH 2, 2017
The university launched the course Feb. 11, at the beginning of the academic year's second term, and student interest has been high, Magdi Abu Zahra, director of the school's Department of Languages and Translation, told Al-Monitor.
"The call for registration in Chinese courses surprised the students because Chinese is among the toughest languages to learn in the world and differs from other foreign languages taught at the university," Abu Zahra said. "Still, there was a high turnout, and the required number of students to open the class, which is 25, was met. Due to the high number of students insisting on learning Chinese, 30 students were accepted instead of only 25, and other registration applications await approval."
In fact, although the course currently is open to students only, Abu Zahra said businesspeople and traders applied to take it, believing it could help them in their work, as they have economic and trade ties with China.
READ MORE....
Why is Saudi Arabia’s king spending a month in Asia? By Jonathan Fulton
The Washington Post - March 6, 2017
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdul Aziz began a month-long trip to Asia last week that has taken him to Malaysia and Indonesia, with stops in Japan, China and the Maldives to follow. Coming after high-level visits between Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states and Chinese government officials, the king’s trip is a further indication of the deepening of relations between Arab Gulf monarchies and East Asia. While trade is an important focus for the Saudi delegation, Asia’s growing role in Gulf security is going to be a major feature of the trip.
China and Saudi Arabia’s new military cooperation
The China-Saudi security relationship was emphasized during a visit to China by Deputy Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman in August, when Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan said, “China is willing to push military relations with Saudi Arabia to a new level.” This took shape two months later, with the 15-day joint military exercise in Chengdu, where Saudi Special Forces and their Chinese counterparts trained together in anti-terrorism drills, hostage situations, extreme weather and relationship building at the nonelite level.
READ MORE....
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdul Aziz began a month-long trip to Asia last week that has taken him to Malaysia and Indonesia, with stops in Japan, China and the Maldives to follow. Coming after high-level visits between Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states and Chinese government officials, the king’s trip is a further indication of the deepening of relations between Arab Gulf monarchies and East Asia. While trade is an important focus for the Saudi delegation, Asia’s growing role in Gulf security is going to be a major feature of the trip.
China and Saudi Arabia’s new military cooperation
The China-Saudi security relationship was emphasized during a visit to China by Deputy Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman in August, when Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan said, “China is willing to push military relations with Saudi Arabia to a new level.” This took shape two months later, with the 15-day joint military exercise in Chengdu, where Saudi Special Forces and their Chinese counterparts trained together in anti-terrorism drills, hostage situations, extreme weather and relationship building at the nonelite level.
READ MORE....
Sunday, March 5, 2017
Friday, March 3, 2017
King Salman’s Outreach to Asia
by Kristian Coates Ulrichsen
Saudi
Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz is conducting a six-country tour of
Asia that will take him to Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Japan, China,
and the Maldives. Aside from its monthlong duration, the trip is
significant for the commercial and strategic messages it conveys in the
context of Saudi Arabia’s ambitious program of economic reform and
efforts to balance global power and geopolitical influence. The visit is
consistent with the Saudi “pivot to Asia” in recent years, based around
a set of common interests in trade, energy, and counterterrorism.
Moreover, at a moment of such international uncertainty, the Saudi
leadership will be keen to portray a kingdom that remains attractive to,
and open to business with, a wide array of partners in regional and
world affairs.
Relations
between Saudi Arabia and Asian states have come a long way in a
comparatively short period as formal diplomatic ties with China, for
example, were only established in 1990. Successive Saudi leaders have
recognized that the structure and pattern of world trade is changing and
have readjusted pragmatically to take advantage of those shifts. Saudi
Arabia’s late King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz notably made China the
destination for his first major international visit as monarch in
January 2006, visited India later the same year, and in 2010 upgraded
the Saudi-Indian relationship into a Strategic Partnership. In 2014, as
crown prince, Salman made two lengthy trips to Asia
during which he visited Pakistan, China, India, Japan, and the
Maldives, and came away with a raft of agreements across the defense,
security, energy, and infrastructure sectors.
Saudi-Chinese joint ventures expected to be formed during king’s visit
Rodolfo C. Estimo Jr.
Arab News — Saturday 4 March 2017
Top Saudi businessmen have expressed optimism that joint ventures or partnerships could be formed with Chinese counterparts during King Salman’s visit.
Sheikh Abdullah Al-Meleihi, board member of the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry, said 65-70 businessmen will join the king’s entourage during his trip, and they are looking forward to forming industrial partnerships with Chinese counterparts.
He said King Salman is expected to visit China, the world’s second-biggest economy, in mid-March. From there, he will proceed to Japan, Brunei and Jordan, where he will attend the Arab League Summit. Last Thursday he was in Indonesia, and before that Malaysia.
READ MORE....
Arab News — Saturday 4 March 2017
Top Saudi businessmen have expressed optimism that joint ventures or partnerships could be formed with Chinese counterparts during King Salman’s visit.
Sheikh Abdullah Al-Meleihi, board member of the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry, said 65-70 businessmen will join the king’s entourage during his trip, and they are looking forward to forming industrial partnerships with Chinese counterparts.
He said King Salman is expected to visit China, the world’s second-biggest economy, in mid-March. From there, he will proceed to Japan, Brunei and Jordan, where he will attend the Arab League Summit. Last Thursday he was in Indonesia, and before that Malaysia.
READ MORE....
Monday, February 27, 2017
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman begins six-nation Asian tour
The Japan Times - February 26, 2017
RIYADH – Saudi Arabian King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz al-Saud arrived in Malaysia on Sunday, kicking off a multination tour aimed at boosting economic ties with Asia. The official Saudi Press Agency reported Sunday that the monarch’s tour will also take in Indonesia, Brunei, Japan, China and the Maldives. Salman will also visit Saudi Arabia’s neighbor, Jordan, before returning home. OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia is the world’s largest oil exporter, with much of its crude destined for customers in Asia. The kingdom is eager to attract investment as it diversifies its economy, including for its upcoming initial public offering of part of state oil giant Saudi Aramco.
RIYADH – Saudi Arabian King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz al-Saud arrived in Malaysia on Sunday, kicking off a multination tour aimed at boosting economic ties with Asia. The official Saudi Press Agency reported Sunday that the monarch’s tour will also take in Indonesia, Brunei, Japan, China and the Maldives. Salman will also visit Saudi Arabia’s neighbor, Jordan, before returning home. OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia is the world’s largest oil exporter, with much of its crude destined for customers in Asia. The kingdom is eager to attract investment as it diversifies its economy, including for its upcoming initial public offering of part of state oil giant Saudi Aramco.
Wang Yi Meets with Foreign Minister Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir of Saudi Arabia
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China- 2017/02/19
On February 18, 2017 local time, Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Foreign Minister Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir of Saudi Arabia on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference. Wang Yi expressed that China sees Saudi Arabia as an important strategic partner. China is not only a long-term partner of Saudi Arabia in energy cooperation, but also stands ready to further elevate the level of bilateral cooperation, expand new cooperation areas, and continuously be an ideal cooperation partner of the country during the process of its economic diversification, so as to constantly boost the comprehensive strategic partnership between both countries to a new level. The Chinese side is willing to take the visit of the King of Saudi Arabia to China as an opportunity to enhance the docking of bilateral development strategies and speed up negotiations on the China-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) free trade area (FTA). China supports Chinese enterprises to expand investment in Saudi Arabia and carry out cooperation on projects such as industrial parks. Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir said that Saudi Arabia attaches high importance to relations with China, and regards China as a strategic partner and good friend. China is a stable force in international affairs, and both countries enjoy many common grounds. Saudi Arabia is willing to play a positive role in the GCC FTA talks, enhance communication and cooperation between the two countries at bilateral, regional and global levels, so as to facilitate Saudi Arabia-China relations to move toward a deeper, broader and stronger direction. Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir appreciates Foreign Minister Wang Yi's propositions and measures expounded at the G20 Foreign Ministers' meeting on sustainable development and partnerships with Africa. Both sides also exchanged views on the Syrian issue and other regional hotspot issues.
Animation on Chinese boy's adventures in Saudi Arabia premieres
Chinadaily.com.cn - 2017-02-24
An animation series, Kong Xiaoxi and Hakim, co-produced by China and Saudi Arabia, premiered in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.
The 26-episode series features a Chinese boy named Kong Xiaoxi and his friendship with a Saudi Arabian boy Hakim, who is from a family of food connoisseurs. Kong helps Hakim's family restaurant defeat local Western competitors by using traditional Chinese cooking methods.
As the first film and TV cooperation between the two countries, the series took about three years to complete, presenting a comprehensive picture of Chinese cuisine, clothing, martial arts as well as Saudi Arabian culture and food. It will be broadcast in the two countries and other Arabian countries.
According to Chinese producers, the plan for a second season is on the agenda. The second series will focus on Hakim's experience of learning traditional martial arts in China.
The 26-episode series features a Chinese boy named Kong Xiaoxi and his friendship with a Saudi Arabian boy Hakim, who is from a family of food connoisseurs. Kong helps Hakim's family restaurant defeat local Western competitors by using traditional Chinese cooking methods.
As the first film and TV cooperation between the two countries, the series took about three years to complete, presenting a comprehensive picture of Chinese cuisine, clothing, martial arts as well as Saudi Arabian culture and food. It will be broadcast in the two countries and other Arabian countries.
According to Chinese producers, the plan for a second season is on the agenda. The second series will focus on Hakim's experience of learning traditional martial arts in China.
Sunday, February 26, 2017
Pakistan, China revise ‘priority list’ of CPEC energy projects
By Shahbaz Rana
The Express Tribune - February 17, 2017
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China have signed a revised priority list of energy projects they plan to complete in the next two years under the multibillion-dollar corridor programme, making adjustments in light of progress made on these schemes during the last couple of years. The Energy Expert Group agreed to upgrade another 660-megawatt (MW) Hubco coal-fired power plant to the prioritised list but downgraded the 1,320MW Rahim Yar Khan Power project to its actively promoted list, which carries projects that will be completed in the next five years. The parties also upgraded the Oracle Power project to the priority list. The Energy Expert Group signed the list in light of an understanding reached during a Special Meeting for China-Pakistan Energy Projects held in Beijing in December. Prime Minister’s Secretary Fawad Hasan Fawad, Secretary Water and Power Younus Dagha had attended the meeting from Pakistani side.
READ MORE.....
The Express Tribune - February 17, 2017
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China have signed a revised priority list of energy projects they plan to complete in the next two years under the multibillion-dollar corridor programme, making adjustments in light of progress made on these schemes during the last couple of years. The Energy Expert Group agreed to upgrade another 660-megawatt (MW) Hubco coal-fired power plant to the prioritised list but downgraded the 1,320MW Rahim Yar Khan Power project to its actively promoted list, which carries projects that will be completed in the next five years. The parties also upgraded the Oracle Power project to the priority list. The Energy Expert Group signed the list in light of an understanding reached during a Special Meeting for China-Pakistan Energy Projects held in Beijing in December. Prime Minister’s Secretary Fawad Hasan Fawad, Secretary Water and Power Younus Dagha had attended the meeting from Pakistani side.
READ MORE.....
Thursday, February 23, 2017
The Middle East Under Trump - Jin Liangxiang
Jin Liangxiang
Research Fellow, Shanghai Institute of Int'l Studies
China-US Focus - Feb 22, 2017
The world entered the year of 2017 with everybody talking about US President Donald Trump. It is widely believed that Trump will bring uncertainty to almost every part of the world, including the Middle East. While many are talking about Trump’s Muslim ban and its implications on the relations between the US and Middle Eastern Muslim countries, the biggest change in the Middle East under Trump might be the change of regional geopolitical landscape.
There has been a kind of geopolitical structure in the Middle East since the end of the Cold War, and it was Washington and its Western allies that had created and dominated the structure. The US had been sitting on the top of the structure while major regional players were divided into two groups, “moderates” and “radicals”, according to their policy toward the US The moderates included GCC countries, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco and the Palestinian Authority, and the said radicals included Saddam’s Iraq, Qaddafi’s Libya, Iran and Palestinian Hamas.
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Research Fellow, Shanghai Institute of Int'l Studies
China-US Focus - Feb 22, 2017
The world entered the year of 2017 with everybody talking about US President Donald Trump. It is widely believed that Trump will bring uncertainty to almost every part of the world, including the Middle East. While many are talking about Trump’s Muslim ban and its implications on the relations between the US and Middle Eastern Muslim countries, the biggest change in the Middle East under Trump might be the change of regional geopolitical landscape.
There has been a kind of geopolitical structure in the Middle East since the end of the Cold War, and it was Washington and its Western allies that had created and dominated the structure. The US had been sitting on the top of the structure while major regional players were divided into two groups, “moderates” and “radicals”, according to their policy toward the US The moderates included GCC countries, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco and the Palestinian Authority, and the said radicals included Saddam’s Iraq, Qaddafi’s Libya, Iran and Palestinian Hamas.
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Monday, February 20, 2017
Pakistan-China project beneficial for UAE, says Pakistani ambassador
Khaleej Times - February 14, 2017
"Pakistan will be pleased if the UAE can benefit from the project, as this is a win-win situation for all countries in the region," said Ambassador Moazzam Ahmed Khan. The Pakistani Ambassador to the UAE has spoken about how both countries can benefit from the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a part of China's ambitious One Belt, One Road multi-billion dollar initiative, and also part of Pakistan's Vision 2025. "Pakistan will be pleased if the UAE can benefit from the project, as this is a win-win situation for all countries in the region," said Ambassador Moazzam Ahmed Khan. In an interview with Wam at the Pakistan Embassy in Abu Dhabi, the ambassador said Pakistan and China are working on huge projects on infrastructure, roads and railway networks. Most importantly, both countries are also investing in the energy sector. Describing this as an ideal investment opportunity for Emirati investors, Khan noted that the UAE is the second largest GCC trade partner of Pakistan, with a trade surplus of $5b. Moreover, Pakistani nationals send $4.5 billion in remittances each year from the UAE to their home country.
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"Pakistan will be pleased if the UAE can benefit from the project, as this is a win-win situation for all countries in the region," said Ambassador Moazzam Ahmed Khan. The Pakistani Ambassador to the UAE has spoken about how both countries can benefit from the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a part of China's ambitious One Belt, One Road multi-billion dollar initiative, and also part of Pakistan's Vision 2025. "Pakistan will be pleased if the UAE can benefit from the project, as this is a win-win situation for all countries in the region," said Ambassador Moazzam Ahmed Khan. In an interview with Wam at the Pakistan Embassy in Abu Dhabi, the ambassador said Pakistan and China are working on huge projects on infrastructure, roads and railway networks. Most importantly, both countries are also investing in the energy sector. Describing this as an ideal investment opportunity for Emirati investors, Khan noted that the UAE is the second largest GCC trade partner of Pakistan, with a trade surplus of $5b. Moreover, Pakistani nationals send $4.5 billion in remittances each year from the UAE to their home country.
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UAE, China firms seal onshore oil concession deal
Xinhua 02-20-2017
ABU DHABI, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- Abu Dhabi National Oil Company of the United Arab Emirates signed an agreement Sunday with China National Petroleum Corporation, awarding it an eight percent interest in Abu Dhabi's onshore oil concession, both sides said in an e-mailed statement. The agreement was signed by Sultan Ahmed Al-Jaber, Group Chief Executive Officer of the government-controlled ADNOC and member of the Supreme Petroleum Council of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and Wang Yilin, CNPC Chairman. CNPC contributed a sign-up bonus of 6.5 billion dirham (1.77 billion U.S. dollars) to enter the concession. The onshore concession is operated by the Abu Dhabi Company for Onshore Petroleum Operations (ADCO). Al-Jaber said "Our agreement with CNPC strengthens and deepens the strategic and economic relationship between the UAE and China." Al-Jaber added "we see tremendous opportunity in working together to optimise our energy resources, by achieving maximum economic value, in support of ADNOC's long-term growth objectives." Wang Yilin said the agreement "marks an important new phase in CNPC's strategic relationship with ADNOC and we hope it will lead to further opportunities to participate in the UAE's energy sector." CNPC is China's largest oil and gas producer and supplier, as well as one of the world's major oilfield service providers.
ABU DHABI, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- Abu Dhabi National Oil Company of the United Arab Emirates signed an agreement Sunday with China National Petroleum Corporation, awarding it an eight percent interest in Abu Dhabi's onshore oil concession, both sides said in an e-mailed statement. The agreement was signed by Sultan Ahmed Al-Jaber, Group Chief Executive Officer of the government-controlled ADNOC and member of the Supreme Petroleum Council of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and Wang Yilin, CNPC Chairman. CNPC contributed a sign-up bonus of 6.5 billion dirham (1.77 billion U.S. dollars) to enter the concession. The onshore concession is operated by the Abu Dhabi Company for Onshore Petroleum Operations (ADCO). Al-Jaber said "Our agreement with CNPC strengthens and deepens the strategic and economic relationship between the UAE and China." Al-Jaber added "we see tremendous opportunity in working together to optimise our energy resources, by achieving maximum economic value, in support of ADNOC's long-term growth objectives." Wang Yilin said the agreement "marks an important new phase in CNPC's strategic relationship with ADNOC and we hope it will lead to further opportunities to participate in the UAE's energy sector." CNPC is China's largest oil and gas producer and supplier, as well as one of the world's major oilfield service providers.
Saudi Aramco inks first oil contract with China''s Huajin
To supply Arab Extra Light to Huajin in 2017
By Florence Tan and Meng MengSINGAPORE/BEIJING, Feb 13 (Reuters) - State oil giant Saudi Aramco has signed a contract with Chinese oil refiner North Huajin Chemical Industries Group Corp to supply crude in 2017, two sources with knowledge of the matter said on Monday. The contract, the first between Aramco and Huajin, comes as Saudi Arabia attempts to regain its status as the top crude supplier to China, the world's second-largest oil consumer, this year after losing the top spot to Russia in 2016. Saudi Aramco will supply Arab Extra Light crude to Huajin to enable the Chinese state-controlled refiner to produce more naphtha for its petrochemical production, one of the sources said. Saudi Aramco did not respond to an e-mail seeking comment. Huajin, a unit of China's military group NORINCO, could not be immediately reached for comment. Top global oil exporter Saudi Arabia has been exploring new ways to sell more crude to China by offering spot cargoes and providing better credit terms. Saudi Aramco could also start supplying crude to the Huizhou refinery owned by China National Offshore Oil Corp (CNOOC) after an expansion that is expected to finish in the second quarter. Huajin operates a crude oil refinery in Panjin in Liaoning province with a processing capacity of 6 million tonnes per year and a petrochemical plant in Panjin that produces 700,000 tonnes per year of ethylene, according to an announcement from its listed unit North Huajin Chemical Industries Co Ltd. The company also has fertilizer plants in the Inner Mongolia region and in the Xinjiang region.
SOURCE: http://www.nasdaq.com/article/update-1saudi-aramco-inks-first-oil-contract-with-chinas-huajin-20170213-00024
By Florence Tan and Meng MengSINGAPORE/BEIJING, Feb 13 (Reuters) - State oil giant Saudi Aramco has signed a contract with Chinese oil refiner North Huajin Chemical Industries Group Corp to supply crude in 2017, two sources with knowledge of the matter said on Monday. The contract, the first between Aramco and Huajin, comes as Saudi Arabia attempts to regain its status as the top crude supplier to China, the world's second-largest oil consumer, this year after losing the top spot to Russia in 2016. Saudi Aramco will supply Arab Extra Light crude to Huajin to enable the Chinese state-controlled refiner to produce more naphtha for its petrochemical production, one of the sources said. Saudi Aramco did not respond to an e-mail seeking comment. Huajin, a unit of China's military group NORINCO, could not be immediately reached for comment. Top global oil exporter Saudi Arabia has been exploring new ways to sell more crude to China by offering spot cargoes and providing better credit terms. Saudi Aramco could also start supplying crude to the Huizhou refinery owned by China National Offshore Oil Corp (CNOOC) after an expansion that is expected to finish in the second quarter. Huajin operates a crude oil refinery in Panjin in Liaoning province with a processing capacity of 6 million tonnes per year and a petrochemical plant in Panjin that produces 700,000 tonnes per year of ethylene, according to an announcement from its listed unit North Huajin Chemical Industries Co Ltd. The company also has fertilizer plants in the Inner Mongolia region and in the Xinjiang region.
SOURCE: http://www.nasdaq.com/article/update-1saudi-aramco-inks-first-oil-contract-with-chinas-huajin-20170213-00024
On the belt and road, the Chinese civilisation is on the march
Peter T. C. Chang says Beijing’s ambition to build a pan-Asian sphere of common prosperity will affect far more than the region’s economy, and it would be wise to watch out for the civilisational fault lines
SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST - Tuesday, 07 February, 2017
Just as the Euro-American world grapples with the sombre after-effects of Brexit and the installation of a pugnacious Trump presidency, the Asian milieu is becoming transfixed with the anticipation and allure of the “One Belt, One Road” initiative. At a time when the West is building walls in retreat, the East is constructing gateways in an outward advance, to embrace globalisation, through the belt and road, the brainchild of President Xi Jinping (習近平). Retracing the ancient silk and spice trade routes, the belt and road seeks to reopen the economic corridors and re-energise the commercialism that once drew principalities near and far to the Middle Kingdom. Beijing’s endgame is to build a pan-Asian sphere of common prosperity, evoking both the celebrated adventures of Marco Polo and Zheng He’s expeditions, across the land and seas, all at once, this time deploying bullet trains and supertankers.
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SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST - Tuesday, 07 February, 2017
Just as the Euro-American world grapples with the sombre after-effects of Brexit and the installation of a pugnacious Trump presidency, the Asian milieu is becoming transfixed with the anticipation and allure of the “One Belt, One Road” initiative. At a time when the West is building walls in retreat, the East is constructing gateways in an outward advance, to embrace globalisation, through the belt and road, the brainchild of President Xi Jinping (習近平). Retracing the ancient silk and spice trade routes, the belt and road seeks to reopen the economic corridors and re-energise the commercialism that once drew principalities near and far to the Middle Kingdom. Beijing’s endgame is to build a pan-Asian sphere of common prosperity, evoking both the celebrated adventures of Marco Polo and Zheng He’s expeditions, across the land and seas, all at once, this time deploying bullet trains and supertankers.
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China to pump over $24bn into Xinjiang road projects for better connectivity with Pakistan
DAWN - Feb 07, 2017
The Chinese government has decided to invest $24.8 billion (170bn yuan) into laying a highway network in the Muslim-majority Xinjiang region for improved connectivity with Pakistan. The autonomous region will use the funds this year ─ up nearly six fold from 2016 ─ for building roads so it can better serve as China's trade hub by linking countries along the Silk Road Economic Belt. New infrastructure projects are also expected to bring more job opportunities for locals, the region's top economic planning official said. The region has never seen such a huge investment in road construction, Zhang Chunlin, director of the Xinjiang Development and Reform Commission, said in an exclusive interview in the regional capital of Urumqi. The region will also invest approximately $1.18bn (8.1bn yuan) in the construction of railways and $0.7bn (4.8bn yuan) in civil aviation projects, both up by 50 per cent from last year. The investment in building roads, railways and airports this year will oustrip the total funding for transportation infrastructure from 2011-2015.
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The Chinese government has decided to invest $24.8 billion (170bn yuan) into laying a highway network in the Muslim-majority Xinjiang region for improved connectivity with Pakistan. The autonomous region will use the funds this year ─ up nearly six fold from 2016 ─ for building roads so it can better serve as China's trade hub by linking countries along the Silk Road Economic Belt. New infrastructure projects are also expected to bring more job opportunities for locals, the region's top economic planning official said. The region has never seen such a huge investment in road construction, Zhang Chunlin, director of the Xinjiang Development and Reform Commission, said in an exclusive interview in the regional capital of Urumqi. The region will also invest approximately $1.18bn (8.1bn yuan) in the construction of railways and $0.7bn (4.8bn yuan) in civil aviation projects, both up by 50 per cent from last year. The investment in building roads, railways and airports this year will oustrip the total funding for transportation infrastructure from 2011-2015.
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China, Saudi Arabia vow to enhance cooperation
GLOBAL TIMES - 2017/2/19
China and Saudi Arabia on Saturday pledged to enhance their cooperation and strengthen coordination. The promise was made when Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with his Saudi Arabian counterpart Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir on the sidelines of the ongoing Munich Security Conference. Wang said that China sees Saudi Arabia as an important strategic partner and stands ready to speed up the China-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) FTA talks with Saudi Arabia. He said China supports the Chinese enterprises' investment in Saudi Arabia and the bilateral cooperation on projects such as the industrial parks. Al-Jubeir, on his part, said that Saudi Arabia is willing to play a positive role in the China-GCC FTA talks and strengthen the country's coordination and cooperation with China on different levels.
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China and Saudi Arabia on Saturday pledged to enhance their cooperation and strengthen coordination. The promise was made when Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with his Saudi Arabian counterpart Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir on the sidelines of the ongoing Munich Security Conference. Wang said that China sees Saudi Arabia as an important strategic partner and stands ready to speed up the China-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) FTA talks with Saudi Arabia. He said China supports the Chinese enterprises' investment in Saudi Arabia and the bilateral cooperation on projects such as the industrial parks. Al-Jubeir, on his part, said that Saudi Arabia is willing to play a positive role in the China-GCC FTA talks and strengthen the country's coordination and cooperation with China on different levels.
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Chinese naval escort taskforce visits United Arab Emirates
CHINA MILITARY - 2017-02-03
ZAYED PORT, ABU DHABI, Feb. 3 (ChinaMil) -- A Chinese naval escort taskforce arrived at the Zayed Port in Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), on January 26 and started its five-day goodwill visit to the UAE after its visits to Saudi Arabia and Qatar. This is Chinese navy's third visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). At about 9:00 am on that day, the guided-missile destroyer Harbin (Hull 112), the guided-missile frigate Handan (Hull 579) and the comprehensive supply ship Dongpinghu (Hull 960) of the 24th Chinese naval escort taskforce entered the Zayed Port, during which the Chinese sailors dressed in navy-blue uniforms manned the rails on the three naval warships. More than 600 people including Chinese Ambassador to the UAE Ni Jian, Chinese Consul General to Dubai Li Lingbing and Chinese Military Attaché to the UAE You Jian together with other staff members of the Chinese embassy and consulate in the UAE, working staff of China-funded institutions, overseas Chinese, Chinese students studying in the UAE as well as representatives from the UAE Navy were at the pier to welcome the taskforce. After the welcoming ceremony, Chinese Ambassador to the UAE Ni Jian and his party had a talk with Rear Admiral Bai Yaoping, commanding officer of the taskforce, Zhou Pingfei, political commissar and other sailors of the taskforce. They also visited the guided-missile destroyer Harbin and the guided-missile frigate Handan together with other Chinese and foreign personnel.
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Sunday, February 19, 2017
Chinese navy ends Persian Gulf visits to Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and United Arab Emirates
SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST - Monday, 06 February, 2017
Expanded presence of Beijing’s maritime forces included escorting commercial ships and patrolling for pirates in Gulf of Aden
A Chinese navy task force has finished visits to four Persian Gulf states as the nation’s increasingly capable maritime force expands its presence in the strategically vital region. The three ships departed from Kuwait on Sunday after stopping in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, the Defence Ministry said on its website on Monday. They had previously completed an assignment escorting commercial shipping and patrolling for pirates in the Gulf of Aden, the 24th Chinese task force to be dispatched for such duties since Beijing joined the multinational effort in December 2008.
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Expanded presence of Beijing’s maritime forces included escorting commercial ships and patrolling for pirates in Gulf of Aden
A Chinese navy task force has finished visits to four Persian Gulf states as the nation’s increasingly capable maritime force expands its presence in the strategically vital region. The three ships departed from Kuwait on Sunday after stopping in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, the Defence Ministry said on its website on Monday. They had previously completed an assignment escorting commercial shipping and patrolling for pirates in the Gulf of Aden, the 24th Chinese task force to be dispatched for such duties since Beijing joined the multinational effort in December 2008.
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Dubai reports Chinese visitors up 20 pct in 2016
Xinhua 2017-02-07
The number of visitors from China to Dubai in 2016 stood at 540,000, up 20 percent from a year earlier, the government-owned Dubai Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) said here Tuesday. Overall tourist arrivals for the year, at 14.9 million, rose 4.92 percent from that of 2015. China dominated the demand from Asia, firmly cementing its status as among Dubai's top 10 markets, DTCM said, adding that China's contribution would go up further in light of the United Arab Emirate's visa exemption policies that came into force in November 2016. The growth in tourist arrivals in 2016, at 4.92 percent, was slower than the 7.5 percent posted in 2015. The drop was attributed to a general slowdown in business in the Gulf Arab state. Dubai's state-owned carrier, Emirates Airline, reported a 75 percent profit slump in April-September, 2016. "Increased competition, as well as the sustained economic and political uncertainty in many parts of the world, has added downward pressure on prices and dampened travel demand," said then Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airline. Helal Saeed Almarri, director general of Dubai Tourism, remained optimistic about Dubai's objective of attracting at least 20 million visitors by 2020, when the UAE hosts the World Expo. The sheikhdom's keenness to attract more visitors from China has been mirrored in increased activities during Chinese New Year celebrations. To meet growing demand, Emirates Airline started flights to Chinese cities of Yinchuan and Zhengzhou last May as its fourth and fifth destination in China. On Dec. 20, Sichuan Airlines launched its first direct flight from Chengdu to Dubai.
The number of visitors from China to Dubai in 2016 stood at 540,000, up 20 percent from a year earlier, the government-owned Dubai Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) said here Tuesday. Overall tourist arrivals for the year, at 14.9 million, rose 4.92 percent from that of 2015. China dominated the demand from Asia, firmly cementing its status as among Dubai's top 10 markets, DTCM said, adding that China's contribution would go up further in light of the United Arab Emirate's visa exemption policies that came into force in November 2016. The growth in tourist arrivals in 2016, at 4.92 percent, was slower than the 7.5 percent posted in 2015. The drop was attributed to a general slowdown in business in the Gulf Arab state. Dubai's state-owned carrier, Emirates Airline, reported a 75 percent profit slump in April-September, 2016. "Increased competition, as well as the sustained economic and political uncertainty in many parts of the world, has added downward pressure on prices and dampened travel demand," said then Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airline. Helal Saeed Almarri, director general of Dubai Tourism, remained optimistic about Dubai's objective of attracting at least 20 million visitors by 2020, when the UAE hosts the World Expo. The sheikhdom's keenness to attract more visitors from China has been mirrored in increased activities during Chinese New Year celebrations. To meet growing demand, Emirates Airline started flights to Chinese cities of Yinchuan and Zhengzhou last May as its fourth and fifth destination in China. On Dec. 20, Sichuan Airlines launched its first direct flight from Chengdu to Dubai.
Friday, February 10, 2017
CFP: China and the Middle East - Shanghai University, China June 7-8, 2017
Call for papers:
3rd China and The Middle East
Conference:
Asia to the Middle East: Asianization of the
Middle East with Economic Characteristics?
Shanghai University, China
June 7-8,
2017
Organized by
Center for Turkish Studies and Center for Global Studies
Shanghai University
Description and
Objectives:
Over the last
two years, with the One Belt One
Road initiative, we have seen the increase of Chinese political and social
activities in the Middle East region. As a result of this new political
strategy, the PRC started to play a more active role within the Middle Eastern
political arena. Hence, Xi Jinping visited Pakistan, Iran, Egypt, and Saudi
Arabia. Additionally, Chinese social and cultural activities began to appear
more visibly within universities and educational institutions in the Middle
East. Hanban Institutes started to open and finance Confucius Institutes in the
region that facilitate Chinese cultural and language classes and promote mutual
understanding between China and the Middle East. For example, these institutes
have arisen in Turkey, Israel, Iran, Lebanon, Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Jordan,
UAE, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Morocco. China has also become one of the largest
economic and trade partners with Middle Eastern states such as Iran, Turkey,
Pakistan, Egypt, and Israel. Therefore, we would like to make this academic
initiative a permanent conference meeting, and each year, we will organize a
China and the Middle East Conference in different countries in collaboration
with other universities. We organized two very successful academic conferences
on this topic in collaboration with Beijing University, on March 17-18, 2015,
and Qatar University, on March 23-24, 2016.
This year we have expanded the conference topic
to the broader context of Asia and Central Asia. All submissions should be
related to contemporary themes of sociology, political science, international
relations, history and anthropology during and post-Cold War Era. We therefore
invite submissions on the following and related topics:
China, Islam
and the Middle East
Central Asia,
Islam and the Middle East
Japan, Islam
and the Middle East
The Center for
Turkish Studies and Center for Global Studies at Shanghai University invites
interested scholars and advanced graduate students to submit proposals for the
conference below. The event will take place at Shanghai University, June 7 -
8, 2017. Please submit a 300-word paper proposal to Dr. Tugrul Keskin (tugrulkeskin@t.shu.edu.cn) by APRIL 3, 2017. We acknowledge receipt of all
emails and will reply to all. If you do not receive a reply, please resend your
abstract. Please include the following in your email:
-Author name;
-Affiliation;
-Email address;
-Abstract in
Word format;
-Title of your
paper
-A short CV.
Acceptance notices will be sent by April
10, 2017.
In case your abstract is accepted, a
draft paper of around 5000 words is due two weeks prior to the beginning of the
conference. We intend to compile an edited volume with the best papers for
publication in an international reference publisher.
There is no fee for this conference. PLEASE
NOTE THAT WE WILL COVER YOUR ACCOMMODATIONS AND FOOD DURING YOUR STAY IN
SHANGHAI.
Please note that this is an academic
conference only, no non-academic presenters will be accepted.
Any additional queries should
be sent to tugrulkeskin@t.shu.edu.cn
Organizing
Committee:
· Dr. Guo Changgang, Professor - Shanghai
University, China.
·
Dr. Mohammedmoin
Sadeq, Professor - Qatar University, Qatar.
· Dr. Chen Hao, Assistant Professor –
Shanghai University, China.
· Dr. Tugrul Keskin, Associate Professor
- Shanghai University, China.
·
Dr.
Mark Juergensmeyer, Professor - University of California at Santa Barbara, USA.
· Dr. Tarik Yousef, Senior Fellow and Director,
Brookings Doha Center, Qatar.
· Dr. Sean Foley, Associate Professor - Middle Tennessee
State University, USA.
· Dr. Baris Doster, Associate Professor – Marmara
University, Turkey.
· Dr. Mojtaba Mahdavi, Associate Professor - University
of Alberta, Canada.
· Dr. Can Ulusoy, Assistant Professor – Maltepe
University, Turkey.
· Dr. Saban Kardas, Associate Professor – TOBB
University, Turkey.
· Dr.
Nissim Otmazgin, Professor – The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel.
· Dr. Sari Hanafi, Professor - American University of
Beirut, Lebanon.
· Dr. Juan Cole, Professor - University of Michigan,
USA.
· Dr. Yunus Emre, Associate Professor – Kultur
University, Turkey.
· Dr. Geoffrey Gresh, National Defense University, USA.
· Dr. Merve Kavakci, Associate Professor - Uskudar
University, Turkey.
· Dr. Yang Chen, Post-Doctoral Fellow - Shanghai
University, China.
Conference Program
June 7, 2017
9:15 - 9:30 Welcome
Speech and Introduction by Dr. Guo Changgang, Professor - Shanghai University,
People’s Republic of China.
9:30 - 9:50 Keynote
Speech by Dr. Pan Guang,
Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences,
People’s Republic of China.
1.
Panel 1: 10:00 – 11:45
12:00-13:00 PM Lunch
2.
Panel 2: 13:15-15:00
3. Panel 3: 15:15-17:00
DINNER 18:00 - 20:00
June 8, 2017
4.
Panel 4: 10:00 – 12:00
12:15-13:15 PM Lunch
5.
Panel 5: 13:30 – 15:30
6.
Discussion for future projects and Closing Remarks by TBA 16:00 – 17:00
DINNER 18:00 - 20:00
Wednesday, February 8, 2017
A New Report: U.S. Policy Toward China Recommendations for a New Administration
Orville Schell and Susan L. Shirk
ASIA SOCIETY – FEBRUARY 7, 2017
With a new administration in the White House, maintaining what is perhaps the country’s most crucial bilateral relationship remains a critical issue. Organized by Asia Society’s Center on U.S.-China Relations and the University of California San Diego’s 21st Century China Center, members of a high-level Task Force on U.S.-China Policy offer their expert recommendations for the Trump administration.
The Task Force on U.S.-China Policy comprises a group of prominent China specialists that include former U.S. government officials, scholars, and think tank researchers, many of whom served under both political parties and every U.S. president since the Nixon administration. Its goal has been to reflect on how the U.S.-China relationship has evolved and to draft a set of recommendations for the incoming presidential administration on how the United States can best advance its interests given the current political climate. We hope this report can also provide the starting point for a public conversation on these vitally important questions.
FULL REPORT: http://asiasociety.org/files/US-China_Task_Force_Report_FINAL.pdf
ASIA SOCIETY – FEBRUARY 7, 2017
With a new administration in the White House, maintaining what is perhaps the country’s most crucial bilateral relationship remains a critical issue. Organized by Asia Society’s Center on U.S.-China Relations and the University of California San Diego’s 21st Century China Center, members of a high-level Task Force on U.S.-China Policy offer their expert recommendations for the Trump administration.
The Task Force on U.S.-China Policy comprises a group of prominent China specialists that include former U.S. government officials, scholars, and think tank researchers, many of whom served under both political parties and every U.S. president since the Nixon administration. Its goal has been to reflect on how the U.S.-China relationship has evolved and to draft a set of recommendations for the incoming presidential administration on how the United States can best advance its interests given the current political climate. We hope this report can also provide the starting point for a public conversation on these vitally important questions.
FULL REPORT: http://asiasociety.org/files/US-China_Task_Force_Report_FINAL.pdf
China and the Middle East - a rapidly changing picture By Tim Collard
China.org.cn, February 8, 2017
China has for many years now preferred
to refrain from involvement in the quagmire which is the Middle East.
Until now the region has been considered too distant, and not
sufficiently economically rewarding (apart from, of course, the need to
ensure oil supplies) to justify closer engagement. What policy there has
been has been entirely pragmatic, building on the establishment of
sound economic and technological partnerships with Israel without
disrupting relations with the diplomatically powerful Arab world.
So far, so good. But China's rise as a
global economic power, fueled by the foundation of the AIIB and the
launch of the Belt and Road initiative, has rendered it more difficult,
not to say undesirable, for China to keep her distance from the politics
and the region. And, in turn, Chinese interest in the region in the
Belt and Road context is creating a new dynamic in the Middle East, with
the potential of a major change to the balance of power in the region.
The technology and infrastructure
finance which the full flowering of the Belt and Road initiative
envisages would provide great opportunities for the economies of the
region; in particular, adding diversity to a regional economy
over-reliant on fossil fuel exports.
But there are two problems here:
Firstly, the Belt and Road initiative is so wide-ranging that the future
world will contain a diversity of potential trade routes. Secondly,
that we are on the verge of a world in which the Middle East is no
longer central to oil production and its ancillary industries. The
worldwide development of larger and more diverse sources of gas, and of
new energy-saving technologies, will ensure that that occurs within a
very short period, and the region's significance in global affairs will
necessarily decline with it.
Thus the Middle East, like any other
political-economic entity, must learn to compete to enjoy the fruits of
the coming Asian-dominated world order. And this means addressing its
intractable security problems. Infrastructure, which will always be the
central plank of international trade, must be kept secure. In the entire
history of war, breaking the enemy's lines of communication and
logistics has been a major strategic objective.
But, you will say, there is surely no
need for talk of "enemies." The world is - largely - at peace: we have a
functioning system in which agreements are made between sovereign
states under the umbrella of established international law. This is
true, but it cannot have escaped anybody's attention that the monopoly
of force by sovereign states has been breached many times in the last
decade, and that the epicenter of this phenomenon is in the Middle
Eastern region, where there are several regions not under the control of
any recognized government.
Further east, China has already
addressed the security issue in Pakistan, in building the port at
Gwadar, in western Pakistan on the Iranian border, as a major
contribution to the Belt and Road program. But there China was able to
rely on a strong and long-developed friendship with Pakistan, and is
confident that under no circumstances will the Pakistani authorities
allow threats to Sino-Pakistani joint projects.
The Middle East proper is a different
matter. While keenly conscious that the phenomenon of Islamic terrorism,
which has been demonstrably linked to Uighur separatist activists in
Xinjiang, cannot be ignored, China remains keen to avoid any
interference in the internal politics of any nation or in the balance of
forces within the region as a whole. However, China must know that
assurances of security from a national government can provide no real
security for infrastructural projects, or for those working on them.
With one exception: Israel. China has
been working, with practical mutual benefits, with Israel for thirty
years. Both countries have been entirely pragmatic in this cooperation;
neither has called on the other to adopt a particular political
position, and both have given clear demonstrations of the ability to
protect vital interests on their own soil. In an ideal world Israel
would be well placed to act as the regional hub for the Belt and Road
program. But here politics raises its ugly head again.
Clearly the basic requirement is a
sustainable solution to the Israel-Palestine problem. Up to now China
has stuck resolutely to the formula which became standard in the early
1990s: "land for peace." It made sense not to vary this formula while
everything was in chaos: But no progress has been made on either land or
peace, and even the possibility of such an exchange is beginning to
fade. What effect the opportunities offered by China's infrastructural
investment program will have on breaking the deadlock, we have yet to
see.
And then there is the question of
whether minds are flexible enough to ensure that these opportunities
will be taken up. This essentially means that common sense will have to
establish itself in areas where it has hitherto been in short supply.
Can China help?
Thursday, February 2, 2017
China Oil Trader’s Mideast Spree Contributes to Shake-Up in Global Supply Flows
By Serene Cheong
BLOOMBERG - February 1, 2017
Crude purchases in one corner of the oil market by a Chinese trader are contributing to the shake-up of supply flows across the globe. China National United Oil Co. last month bought at least 7 million barrels of Middle East crude for March loading as part of an assessment process operated by Platts used to set price benchmarks, data compiled by Bloomberg show. The spree was made at a time the region’s supply is shrinking as producers including Saudi Arabia shoulder a majority of global output curbs. The purchases by the trader known as Chinaoil have helped raise the value of Middle East crude, which had already turned costlier relative to supplies from other regions on OPEC’s deal to cut production. The increase in the Dubai crude benchmark versus West Texas Intermediate and Europe’s Brent has spurred previously unviable flows of cargoes into Asia from areas such as the Gulf of Mexico and boosted shipments from West Africa and the North Sea.
READ MORE....
BLOOMBERG - February 1, 2017
Crude purchases in one corner of the oil market by a Chinese trader are contributing to the shake-up of supply flows across the globe. China National United Oil Co. last month bought at least 7 million barrels of Middle East crude for March loading as part of an assessment process operated by Platts used to set price benchmarks, data compiled by Bloomberg show. The spree was made at a time the region’s supply is shrinking as producers including Saudi Arabia shoulder a majority of global output curbs. The purchases by the trader known as Chinaoil have helped raise the value of Middle East crude, which had already turned costlier relative to supplies from other regions on OPEC’s deal to cut production. The increase in the Dubai crude benchmark versus West Texas Intermediate and Europe’s Brent has spurred previously unviable flows of cargoes into Asia from areas such as the Gulf of Mexico and boosted shipments from West Africa and the North Sea.
READ MORE....
Iran to develop ‘triangle’ of cooperation with Pakistan, China
MIDDLE EAST MONITOR - January 26, 2017
Senior officials from Iran and Pakistan discussed plans for stronger cooperation between the two countries yesterday during a meeting in Islamabad. Alaeddin Boroujerdi, the chairman of Iran’s parliamentary Committee for Foreign Policy and National Security and Pakistan’s Chairman of the Senate Defence Committee, Mushahid Hussain, stressed the need for enhancing further cooperation. Talking to Iranian news agency IRNA, the Iranian official said that having strong relations with Pakistan is an integral part of Iranian foreign policy. During the three day visit the officials will hold important meetings to discuss current regional security situation and further strengthening of cooperation in bilateral ties. Boroujerdi stressed the need for Iran, China and Pakistan to form a triangle of cooperation which will benefit the three countries. The Pakistani official urged for further cooperation and said that they are committed to complete the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project.
READ MORE....
Senior officials from Iran and Pakistan discussed plans for stronger cooperation between the two countries yesterday during a meeting in Islamabad. Alaeddin Boroujerdi, the chairman of Iran’s parliamentary Committee for Foreign Policy and National Security and Pakistan’s Chairman of the Senate Defence Committee, Mushahid Hussain, stressed the need for enhancing further cooperation. Talking to Iranian news agency IRNA, the Iranian official said that having strong relations with Pakistan is an integral part of Iranian foreign policy. During the three day visit the officials will hold important meetings to discuss current regional security situation and further strengthening of cooperation in bilateral ties. Boroujerdi stressed the need for Iran, China and Pakistan to form a triangle of cooperation which will benefit the three countries. The Pakistani official urged for further cooperation and said that they are committed to complete the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project.
READ MORE....
Is China the new custodian of the Middle East?
By Shazar Shafqat
ASIA TIMES - January 16, 2017
Russia is calling all the shots in the Middle East. No, it’s the United States. Oh hang on; it’s the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member countries that pull the strings. Israel is the dominant player. You just can’t rule out Egypt. ISIL, perhaps? The list goes on. There’s lot more you’re going to hear about the Middle East in the days to come. Israel, infuriated after the UNSC verdict, might be contemplating upping the ante. After all, the MidEast Peace Conference in Paris due January 15, 2017 is, in all its likelihood, going to uphold the two-state solution. Media will provide you with all the varied opinions, thoughts and predictions for 2017. Barring aside few of the stories, majority of these are going to be all but hogwash. Don’t buy into every news story you’re pitched with.
READ MORE....
ASIA TIMES - January 16, 2017
Russia is calling all the shots in the Middle East. No, it’s the United States. Oh hang on; it’s the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member countries that pull the strings. Israel is the dominant player. You just can’t rule out Egypt. ISIL, perhaps? The list goes on. There’s lot more you’re going to hear about the Middle East in the days to come. Israel, infuriated after the UNSC verdict, might be contemplating upping the ante. After all, the MidEast Peace Conference in Paris due January 15, 2017 is, in all its likelihood, going to uphold the two-state solution. Media will provide you with all the varied opinions, thoughts and predictions for 2017. Barring aside few of the stories, majority of these are going to be all but hogwash. Don’t buy into every news story you’re pitched with.
READ MORE....
Western dominance on the global stage is coming to an end – we are now entering the era of Chinese influence
China’s economic relations with the Middle East are on a long-term upward trend. Beijing is the region’s largest foreign business partner, now surpassing the US in oil purchases. In the five years leading up to 2009 trade tripled, reaching $115bn
Kadira Pethiyagoda
The Independent - Sunday 29 January 2017
Donald Trump’s inauguration has been described as symbolising the end of the “American Century”. Historians may look back on 2016-17 as the years in which the two greatest forces sweeping the world – the anti-establishment backlash in the West, and the resurgence of Asia – combined to thrust China into a global leadership role. This was seen at Davos, in Beijing’s recent foray into the world’s most contentious conflict – Israel-Palestine – and most recently in Theresa May’s statement that the US and UK will never again invade sovereign countries to “remake the world in their own image”. This suggests that it might not be just a century of American dominance that’s ending, but half a millennia of Western pre-eminence.
READ MORE.....
Kadira Pethiyagoda
The Independent - Sunday 29 January 2017
Donald Trump’s inauguration has been described as symbolising the end of the “American Century”. Historians may look back on 2016-17 as the years in which the two greatest forces sweeping the world – the anti-establishment backlash in the West, and the resurgence of Asia – combined to thrust China into a global leadership role. This was seen at Davos, in Beijing’s recent foray into the world’s most contentious conflict – Israel-Palestine – and most recently in Theresa May’s statement that the US and UK will never again invade sovereign countries to “remake the world in their own image”. This suggests that it might not be just a century of American dominance that’s ending, but half a millennia of Western pre-eminence.
READ MORE.....
America's Crisis of Credibility in Asia
Arthur Herman & Lewis Libby
The Wall Street Journal – January 31, 2017
Gen. James Mattis travels to Japan Friday on his first trip abroad as U.S. secretary of defense. What he will find when he arrives is a crisis-prone region that, without a firm American hand, poses risks to America’s interests.
The U.S. has not faced a more dangerous security environment in Asia since the end of the Korean War. North Korea is soon expected to test a new intercontinental ballistic missile that could threaten the American West Coast and might dangerously alter North Korean and counterproliferation calculations.
READ MORE....
The Wall Street Journal – January 31, 2017
Gen. James Mattis travels to Japan Friday on his first trip abroad as U.S. secretary of defense. What he will find when he arrives is a crisis-prone region that, without a firm American hand, poses risks to America’s interests.
The U.S. has not faced a more dangerous security environment in Asia since the end of the Korean War. North Korea is soon expected to test a new intercontinental ballistic missile that could threaten the American West Coast and might dangerously alter North Korean and counterproliferation calculations.
READ MORE....
In Turkey, US Loss Is China's Gain
With relations with the United States in tatters, the ‘Eurasianers’ in Turkey look to accelerate ties with China
By George Marshall Lerner
The Diplomat - January 31, 2017
Henry Kissinger once opined that worsening state-to-state relations can be like a car crash — the result is easy to recognize but it’s notoriously hard to pin down what could have been done to avoid it. Despite the fact that ties between the United States and Turkey date back to the dawn of Cold War in the 1950s, relations between NATO’s two largest armies have deteriorated so rapidly that Russia now provides the majority of air support for the Turkish Army’s ongoing battle against the Islamic State near Al-Bab, Northern Syria.
There are two underlying causes for the breakdown in relations between Turkey and the United States. One is America’s support for the forces fighting for the Kurdish enclaves in Northern Syria, and the other is Washington’s unwillingness to extradite the cleric Fethullah Gülen back to Turkey. As the U.S.-Turkey relationship frays, China is poised to fill the gap.
READ MORE....
By George Marshall Lerner
The Diplomat - January 31, 2017
Henry Kissinger once opined that worsening state-to-state relations can be like a car crash — the result is easy to recognize but it’s notoriously hard to pin down what could have been done to avoid it. Despite the fact that ties between the United States and Turkey date back to the dawn of Cold War in the 1950s, relations between NATO’s two largest armies have deteriorated so rapidly that Russia now provides the majority of air support for the Turkish Army’s ongoing battle against the Islamic State near Al-Bab, Northern Syria.
There are two underlying causes for the breakdown in relations between Turkey and the United States. One is America’s support for the forces fighting for the Kurdish enclaves in Northern Syria, and the other is Washington’s unwillingness to extradite the cleric Fethullah Gülen back to Turkey. As the U.S.-Turkey relationship frays, China is poised to fill the gap.
READ MORE....
What Does President Trump Mean for China's Middle East Interests?
Trump’s “America First” slogan could force China to play a more active role in Middle Eastern issues.
By Wang Jin
THE DIPLOMAT - January 26, 2017
As the United States enters the Trump era, the war of words is heating up between China and the new president. Trump’s open criticism of China’s as a “currency manipulator,” his challenge to the “one China Policy,” and threatening comments on the South China Sea all make the future of China-U.S. relations under the Trump administration seem less than encouraging. Although most Chinese scholars believe that Trump’s impact will be limited by the U.S. system, which is heavy on professional advisors, the risk of China-US relation deterioration should not be underestimated. Importantly, the impact of President Trump on China will also extend far beyond the Asia-Pacific. The deterioration of U.S.-China relations may pose a new challenge to China’s policy and interests in Middle East.
READ MORE....
By Wang Jin
THE DIPLOMAT - January 26, 2017
As the United States enters the Trump era, the war of words is heating up between China and the new president. Trump’s open criticism of China’s as a “currency manipulator,” his challenge to the “one China Policy,” and threatening comments on the South China Sea all make the future of China-U.S. relations under the Trump administration seem less than encouraging. Although most Chinese scholars believe that Trump’s impact will be limited by the U.S. system, which is heavy on professional advisors, the risk of China-US relation deterioration should not be underestimated. Importantly, the impact of President Trump on China will also extend far beyond the Asia-Pacific. The deterioration of U.S.-China relations may pose a new challenge to China’s policy and interests in Middle East.
READ MORE....
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