The Belt and Road Initiatives and China＇s Middle East Energy Policy

The paper analyses the roots of the Belt and Road Initiative as well as China＇s Middle East Energy Policy in an age of great transformation. China＇s rapidly progressed economic growth leading to a dramatic increase in China＇s energy demand in recent years. The Middle East countries play a critical role in the international energy markets. Stable relations with the Middle East countries become increasingly important for Chinese energy security, and the continued development. The protection of these relations lies at the core of the Belt and Road Initiative. Within The Belt and Road Initiative, Chinese Middle East energy policy proceeds according to the energy cooperation framework known as ＂1＋2＋3＂, which seeks to build a reliable China-Arab strategic cooperative relationship based on long-term friendship. To avoid over dependence on the energy resources of the Middle East, China will also continue to search for other overseas energy sources and protect transportation channels. Despite risks and challenges associated with energy imports from the Middle East, China has cultivated strong relations with states in the region and will develop these economic ties further in the coming years.

CPEC and the Belt and Road Initiative:Economic Implications for the Greater Middle East

This article aims to analyse the economic significance of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor(CPEC),a core component of China’s Belt and Road Initiative(BRI),for the Greater Middle East with focus on Pakistan,Saudi Arabia,the United Arab Emirates(UAE),Qatar and Oman.In so doing,the article underscores on the one hand the existing economic cooperation between Pakistan and the said countries and on the other highlights China’s growing interest in the Arab World in terms of trade.In this respect,the study incorporates the economic values of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030,Qatar National Vision(2030)and Oman Vision(2040)which provide for transregional economic cooperation in terms of market connectivity.In order to realise the latter,the CPEC,as part of the BRI,offers itself as means and market to transregional stakeholders.Empirically,the study posits that CPEC under the BRI framework carries positive economic implications for the Greater Middle East on account of existing and emerging investment and trade trends transregionally.Nonetheless,prospects for economic cooperation are beset with geopolitical challenges such as the recent Iran-US stand-off.The BRI,in remedial terms,can generate stakes for transregional(non-)BRI countries,especially Iran,India and the US in order to prefer peaceful means for conflict resolution.

Research on the Planning and Development of Industrial Cities in the Middle East Arab Countries Under the Belt and Road Initiative

Industrial city is an important concept in urban planning.This paper discusses the connotation,origination,quantity,scale,type,distribution,achievements,and planning characteristics of industrial cities in the Middle East Arab countries through literature,statistical,and comparative analyses.It identifies the problems and challenges industrial cities in the Middle East Arab countries are facing and proposes relevant countermeasures for their transformation under the new situation of the Belt and Road Initiative.At present,the research shows that there are about 100 industrial cities planned and constructed in Saudi Arabia,Syria,Qatar,and other Middle East Arab countries.Composed of free trade zones,industrial parks,and handicraft zones,a multi-levelled carrier system is formed for regional industrialization,helping to optimize the urban and economic geography pattern and to promote the integration of industrialization and urbanization of the region.They become a systematic upgrade and comprehensive transcendence of free trade zones and industrial zones,forming a comprehensive platform for the Middle East Arab countries to promote resource development and integration,industry upgrading and transformation,and industry-city integration and symbiosis.The paper proposes that China and the Middle East Arab countries should learn from each other regarding the planning and development of industrial cities and manage to achieve the coordinated development between China’s Overseas International Cooperation Parks and the Middle East Arab countries’industrial cities.

China-Middle East Cooperation in the Field of Infrastructure under the Framework of the“Belt and Road”Initiative

Infrastructure is not only a priority of the“Belt and Road”Initiative,but also an important component of the productivity cooperation between China and Middle East.The Middle East was one of the regions that had been working with China in the early stage after China’s reform and opening up to the outside world,and since China was integrated into the world economic system and carried out international cooperation.China has a good foundation and experience in the cooperation with the Middle East in the field of infrastructure.Based on the analysis of basic problems of the Middle East infrastructure,this article sorts out the main mode of China’s cooperation with the Middle East in infrastructure,and points out the main problems in China’s expansion in the Middle East infrastructure market.According to the characteristics and future scale of infrastructure market in the Middle East countries,this articles puts forward some countermeasures and suggestions for future development of Chinese enterprises in the Middle East market in the field of infrastructure as well as the proposals to increase market share.

The Turbulent Middle East: Analysing Security Issues facing China’s Belt and Road Initiative towards the Region

Since the announcement of the‘Belt and Road Initiative’(BRI)in 2013,China has yet to unveil the greatest challenge facing the implementation of this initiative.The Middle East offers both strategic as well as resource opportunities for China but the region remains fluid and unstable security wise.Shaky regional alliances,a dissatisfied labour force,pressures from non-state actors,gender discrimination and human rights abuses and sustained external intervention are just some of the security issues facing the Middle East.How would China navigate itself in such a volatile region without jeopardizing its interests and without breaking the principles of non-intervention and sovereignty?More importantly,what type of power does China want to project vis-a-vis the region?This paper argues that the Middle East region,among all the world’s regions,is the most critical for the success of the BRI.China’s ability to maximize gains amidst regional security challenges will determine the future of its global political and economic influences.The region is a test for China’s diplomacy and credibility,which are crucial for its status as a future global power.

China’s Strategic Option:Approach the Greater Middle East through the Eurasian Hinterland

To eliminate the long-term threat to the northern and northwestern territories imposed by Huns in 138 B.C.,Liu Che,the Emperor of the Han Dynasty,sent Zhang Qian to go to Xiyu(the wild-west region)and tried to ally with Great Yüeh-chin,Huns’sworn enemy,so as to attack Huns from both east and west sides.As long as 13 years of his reign,Zhang Qian was captured and detained by the Huns twice,but he escaped successfully each time.He reached the regions known today as Uzbekistan,Kazakhstan and north of Afghanistan and some other places with thousands of miles journey.In 126 B.C.,Zhang Qian came back to Chang-An,the capital of the Han Dynasty.Unfortunately,only one person Tang Yifu out of over 100 members in the diplomatic team survived and returned with him.Of course,the diplomatic mission of allying Great Yüeh-chin was not fulfilled.However,Zhang Qian’s expedition to the West Regions was still of great importance.It is based on his geographic,cultural and social knowledge about the West Region that the continuous military actions initiated by the Emperor Liu Che of the Han Dynasty succeeded finally.What’s more,Zhang Qian’s Expedition to the West Regions accelerated the cultural and economic exchanges between the East and the West,which influenced the development process of world history of civilization directly and continually(Fan,1964:86-89).Today,there is no immediate military threat to China’s northwest and north,while it is convenient for China to connect quickly with other countries and regions by the development of transport and communication technologies.Particularly,the acceleration of the globalization and innovation of the internet technology has even linked the most remote areas of China with the world.However,the geo-political factors in the hinterlands of the Eurasian continent still significantly exert impact on China’s security and development.Therefore,it is very necessary for China to make another and even more significant and extensive“Expedition to the West Regions”-to strategically approach the Greater Middle East through the hinterland.

The Oil Politics & Geopolitical Risks with China “Going out” Strategy toward the Greater Middle East

China-the Greater Middle East oil relations are of strategic importance to China’s energy security.Beijing’s energy security is mainly that of geopolitics in the Middle East and North Africa(MENA).As the geopolitical conflicts in the MENA are defined as long-running and insolvable in the foreseeable future,oil supplies from these regions are inevitably unstable,which exerts direct impact not only on international energy market and oil prices,but also on China’s energy security itself.Despite the substantial progress made over the years in China-the Greater Middle East energy cooperation,restrictive factors such as resource nationalism are many,obstructing further development in this regard.Up to date,major cooperative breakthroughs are yet to be achieved in China’s involvement in the exploration and production of the upstream sector in oil-rich Gulf countries.Pipeline politics is another challenge.Overall,China's incapability and policy for oil politics and geopolitical risks,the energy geopolitical risk will pose long-term impact on China's energy security.Accordingly,the paper tries to come up with some reflection concerning policies or policy proposals that may help to push China-the Greater Middle Eastern energy cooperation.

Dialogue among Civilizations:A Close Look at the GreaterMiddle East Reform

“The Greater Middle East Reform”has always been a heatedly debated issue in the international community.Although the Arab-Islamic countries have aspired for reform toward modernization,their religious beliefs and nationalism have kept playing an essential role in shaping their political life.Therefore,they feel it hard to adopt the democratic system as the U.S.expects.This article analyzes the Arab-Islamic countries’perceptions on and reactions to the U.S.’s democratic transformation in the Middle East.This article also aims to draw Chinese scholars’attention to the Islamic culture as a key factor of regional diplomacy in the Middle East.

新时代中国参与中东安全治理的理念与实践

进入新时代以来,中国始终坚持共同、综合、合作、可持续的安全观,倡导构建中东安全新架构。在参与中东传统安全治理、化解地区冲突方面,中国始终推动对话协商,致力于公正合理解决中东热点问题,构筑兼顾各方合理关切的集体安全架构。在改善地区安全环境方面,中国抓住中东地区主要安全矛盾,顺应地区国家寻求缓和与发展的时代潮流,取得了促成沙特与伊朗复交的重大成果。在参与非传统安全治理方面,中国与中东国家共同提高应对非传统安全威胁的能力,共同维护发展中国家的权益。在参与中东安全治理的过程中,中国形成了以共同安全破解独享安全、以综合安全破解分割安全、以合作安全破解竞争安全等理念和经验,在中东安全事务中发挥了重要的建设性作用。

“一带一路”倡议在中东遭遇的美国冷战思维挑战及应对

“一带一路”倡议是中国基于自身文化底蕴为国际社会提供的优质公共产品,却遭遇美西方的袭扰与阻遏。特别是在安全与发展问题层出不穷的中东地区,共建“一带一路”面临的美国冷战思维挑战尤为严峻。以冷战遗留视角进行审视,美国主要通过两条路径对“一带一路”在中东的建设进行阻遏和破坏。第一条路径较为直接,其策略包括:抛出替代“一带一路”的中东方案、借助话语传播优势污名化“一带一路”、挑唆域内矛盾以破坏“一带一路”建设环境、逐步构建中东“小多边”机制阻滞“一带一路”以及想方设法遏制“数字丝绸之路”等。第二条路径较为隐蔽,由于美国外交奉行冷战思维,中东地区一系列的冷战遗留问题始终无法消弭且不时被激化,这同样对“一带一路”的高质量发展构成威胁。作为“一带一路”的倡议发起国,中国应以习近平外交思想为指引,超越冷战思维,保持战略定力积极应对。

China’s Proposition to Build a Community of Shared Future for Mankind and the Middle East Governance

The proposition to build a community of shared future for mankind is a new concept that the Chinese government has advocated after the 18th National Congress of the CPC,aiming to develop a new structure of international relations and upgrade the global governance model.As a Chinese proposition that reflects China’s wisdom,this concept is based on the long-standing cultural tradition and the advanced Chinese ideological system,representing a new perspective for international cooperation and international order and the new concepts of development,security and civilization.This proposition offers the right direction for the ongoing efforts to improve global governance.The governance in the Middle East is a weak link in global governance,but it is a critical factor for improvement.As a rising power,China is playing an increasingly prominent and constructive role in the Middle East governance.China’s proposition to build a community of shared future for mankind and the“Belt and Road”initiative does not only fit very well in the diverse cultural context of the Middle East,but also support the realistic needs of the people there.The proposition,as well as the initiative,will surely drive the improvement of governance in the Middle East and help the region solve issues hindering development and achieve lasting and universal peace.

China and the Middle East:A Global Strategy Where the Middle East has a Significant but Limited Place

China’s growing importance in the global order,and the increasing assertiveness with which it pursues its global objectives,raise questions as to how the Middle East fits within China’s global strategy.There has been much speculation,in particular,as to whether China is seeking to replace the United States as a key guarantor of security for some Middle Eastern states and regimes.This no doubt is partly dependent on whether the United States will draw back its commitment to the region,and whether Middle Eastern states will seek an alternative guarantor.But it also depends critically on whether China has any interest in playing,and capacity to play,such a role.An understanding of the dynamics of China’s global strategy,and of how the Middle East relates to the parameters around which the strategy is conceived,needs to be the starting point in such an assessment.The aim of this article is to provide a realistic appraisal of the strategy,and then to draw conclusions relative to the present and future role of China in the Middle Eastern region.The analysis concludes that the relationship with Middle Eastern countries is indeed significant to China,but is nonetheless secondary to the interests which are most critical for the Chinese state.

Opportunities and Challenges of China-Middle East Countries’Production Capacity Cooperation

The Middle East is a region where China has more advantages in production capacity cooperation.China started early and has a good reputation in the area of engineering contracting,which has laid good foundations.At present,the Middle East countries are in an important stage of economic transformation.In order to accelerate industrialization,they have developed long-term economic development plan,which provides an important historical opportunity for Chinese enterprises to establish business there.The production capacity cooperation between China and the Middle East countries will utilize the complementary advantages and adhere to mutually beneficial and win-win spirit,and thus has been welcomed by the Middle East countries.At present,the two sides are carrying out fruitful cooperation in infrastructure,high technology and labor-intensive industries,and have achieved significant results.The production capacity cooperation between China and the Middle East countries are facing both opportunities and challenges.We should make good use of opportunities,prevent and resolve risks,and effectively do a good job in production capacity cooperation between China and the Middle East countries.

The Strategic Docking between China and Middle East Countries under the“Belt and Road”Framework

The Middle East is the region bringing together the land and maritime Silk Road,coupled with its unique geographical location and diverse and complex humanitarian,religious and ethnic factors,notably with an increasingly significant role of the energy sector.As an energy-rich zone,it plays a decisive role in the position of international political and economic arena.In the process of building the“Belt and Road”,Chinese government should pay close attention to the role of the Middle East region.This region will also play its rightful role in security coordination,economic cooperation,and cultural exchanges under the“Belt and Road”framework,thus,achieving the strategic docking and win-win cooperation between China and Middle Eastern countries.

Adjustment of Obama’s Middle East Policy and the Trend of the Region’s Hot-spot Issues

There are three dynamics and five attributes for the Obama administration’s adjustment in its Middle East policy.The changing Middle East policy highlights the following points:shifting anti-terror battlefield from Iraq to Afghanistan,withdrawing troops from Iraq in a step-by-step manner,taking a positive attitude towards Palestine-Israel peace talks,striving to initiate a face-to-face dialogue with Iran,and settling international disputes by diplomatic means.However,the solution to Middle East hot-spot issues hinges on some uncertain factors which are the most important and most challenging part in the Obama administration’s foreign policy.

Middle Eastern Situation in a Changing World

With the changes of the international situation,the Obama administration has adjusted its foreign policy.Although the biggest change happens in the US Middle East policy,what has changed is not its strategy but tactics or manoeuvres.The adjusted Middle East policy is unlikely to be implemented in practice.The decline of the national power of the US weakens its leading role in the Middle East issue.Despite their recent development,hot-spot issues in the"Greater Middle East"such as the Palestine-Israel conflicts,the Afghan War,the Iraqi War and the Iranian nuclear issue shall anticipate no easy resolution because of their complexity and involution.

The Middle East in China-Japan Relations: Shared Interests, Competition, and Rivalry Spillover

Since the early twenty-first century,interaction between East Asia and the Middle East has grown considerably.An expected,though understudied,consequence of this development is a gradual spillover of the intra-East Asian political process to the Middle East.Attempting to enhance the understanding of this understudied aspect of East-West Asia relations,as well as new aspects of the China-Japan dynamic,this article explores the competition and possible expansion of the Sino-Japanese rivalry into the Middle East.To examine more concretely we focus on two areas of activities that exceed China’s and Japan’s traditional interests in the Middle East:the utilisation of Middle East events by Japan to loosen its half-century restrictions on the use of military force,and China’s respective response;and Japan’s reaction to China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

“Understanding between Peoples”of China and the Middle East Countries

The Middle East is a natural ally of China in the“One Belt and One Road”construction.The“understanding between the peoples”of China and the Middle East countries not only has the profound historical basis,but also has strong realistic motives.The great blueprint of the“One Belt and One Road”will link the pursuit of the Middle East people in peaceful development with Chinese people’s dream in national rejuvenation,bringing new opportunities and endowing new connotation for mutual“understanding between peoples”on both sides.However,there is a large gap between the actual demand of the“One Belt and One Road”construction and the existing state of affairs in the understanding between the Chinese and Middle Eastern people.There are not only a lot of problems,but also many interferences and blocking factors.In the context of the“One Belt and One Road”,to further promote the“understanding between peoples”of China and the Middle East countries is a huge and systematic civilizational project,which needs in-depth research and understanding.

中东国家基础设施建设与“一带一路”合作前景

第二次世界大战后,中东国家纷纷摆脱殖民统治获得独立,各国基础设施建设逐渐取得较大发展,为本国和地区经济增长发挥了重要作用。然而,中东国家基础设施发展很不均衡,有些国家建立了相对现代化的基础设施,有力地促进了经济增长;有些国家基础设施建设仍很滞后,成为经济增长的瓶颈;还有些国家的基础设施建设受到战乱和冲突破坏,亟需重建。由于中东地区很多国家正处在工业化、城市化的起步或加速阶段,加上年轻化的人口结构,对交通、通信、电力等基础设施的需求量巨大,这成为中国与中东国家共建"一带一路"、实现基础设施领域互联互通和互利共赢的重要契机。

中国中东外交战略构建研究

中国国家主席习近平2016年初的首次中东之行,开启了中国与中东关系的新篇章。本文基于对当前中东地区形势变化及其趋势的分析,结合中国特色大国外交的发展战略,提出构建中国中东外交战略的必要性和可行性,并就其内涵、目标、重点和实践路径进行了思考。本文认为,中国中东外交战略的核心理念应是:传承友谊共识,加强互利合作,实现共同发展,坚持公平正义,促进稳定和平;主要目标是:提升与中东国家的全面合作,拓展中国在中东的国家利益,增强中国在中东的战略存在,使中国在中东"政治上更有影响力、经济上更有竞争力、形象上更有亲和力、道义更有感召力";基本思路是:顺势而为,谋事而动,积极进取,稳步推进,充分利用自身优势,主动塑造有利于各国发展的地区环境及中国与中东国家的新型关系,在建设性参与中寻找发展机遇,在加强经济合作的基础上累积政治共识,在积极维护地区稳定和推动地区和平的过程中提升话语权和影响力。