China and the Middle East: More Than Oil (original) (raw)
Related papers
Following major economic, societal, and governmental changes in 1978 that resulted in the adoption of a free market economy and a pragmatic approach to foreign policy, China’s presence in the global energy market is continuously growing as it rises to the top in economic power and success. Since these reforms, Sino-Middle East relations have normalized as China continues work closely with the Middle East with the intention of expanding and developing an effective, multilateral business/trade relationship. This paper will discuss specific events within both China and the Middle East, such as the major policies born out of the 1978 Chinese reform and Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait, and how they helped set the stage for increased and improved relations with the Middle East. It will also discuss in detail China’s relationships with specific, major oil producing countries such as Iran, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia, as well as the implications and effects of China’s rising economic power and an analysis of the future of China in the global economy. Many people predicted that China would rise to become the second largest economy in the world just under the United States by 2020. Given that it has reached this level as early as 2017, it is highly plausible that China’s economy could surpass that of the U.S. within the next couple of decades if its approach to foreign policy remains consistent. However, the question remaining is whether or not China will be able to maintain its pragmatic, “offend-no-one” approach to its trade relations as its involvement in the global economy deepens, especially when dealing with the unstable political environment of the Middle East.
Energy Policy, 2010
Over the past two decades, China's oil demand has risen steeply. In 1990, it was only about 25% higher than that of 1978, the year economic reform was introduced. By 2008, it had reached 396.0 million tons, roughly four times the 1978 level, making China the second largest oil user worldwide. The country became a net oil importer in 1993, and between 1993 and 2008, its net import dependency-a yardstick for energy security-soared from 7.5% to 50.0%. China's increased demand for oil has made the country a global energy player of critical importance. Although the literature on the global implications of China's oil use has proliferated, relatively few studies have attempted to examine ''how China uses oil.'' Hence, this study covers every oil-consuming facility and sector in China, exploring the patterns of, and factors involved in, oil demand by power plants, oil refineries, heat plants and, gas-works, and industrial, transport, agricultural, household and commercial sectors. It concludes that in virtually all sectors in China, oil demand will grow, with transport and industry leading the way.
China-Middle East Relations: The role of Oil in China's Foreign Policy
China has shown a growing interest in the Middle East now that its economy replies too heavily on coal. This paper serves the purpose of outlining the what China stands to gain in it's quest for more control over the middle eastern oil and why this may be of growing concern to power balance in the region.
WANTED – China’s search for Middle Eastern oil
The paper traces back the history of relations between the People’s Republic of China and the Middle East since mid-twentieth century in order to undercover the trends and factors behind Chinese policy towards the region. It aims to present and analyze the economic and political interests the PRC may have when pursuing its Middle Eastern strategy, principally noticeable in its relations with Saudi Arabia and Iran. The oil dependency is indicated as the main factor in Chinese presence in the region due to the fact that in 1993 the PRC’s oil consumption exceeded domestic production and China was forced to seek its fuel abroad. Consequently, lack of historical involvement in the Middle East, lack of colonial past and pragmatism are perceived as the strongest assets of Chinese foreign policy which allowed to develop and maintain close political and economic ties with the Persian Gulf states. The paper predicts further increase of Chinese engagement with the region, seeing it as geopolitical benefit and possibility to balance the American influence in both regional and global dimensions.
China's Long Way to the Gulf Region. (pp: 108-123)
Baku Dialogues, 2021
Energy cooperation has been a key aspect of growing bilateral cooperation between China and the Arab states of the Gulf region for the past several years. Since 1996, China has become a net importer of crude oil and, as the second-largest energy consumer in the world after the United States, is now the thirdlargest importer of oil after the United States and Japan. Therefore, it should not come as a surprise that China is eying a deep and strategic partnership with the states of a region that sits on top of the world’s largest proven crude oil and natural gas reserves.
The New Silk Road: China’ Energy Policy and Strategy in the Mena Region
2017
China is in dire need of energy resources to sustain its growth. Inrecent years, China has been turning more to Saudi Arabia and Iran in the MiddleEast as well as Sudan in North Africa as trade partners to secure its energy supplyand fuel its increasing growth. This paper explores China’s energy policy in theMiddle East and North African (MENA) region by studying three cases: Sudanin North Africa, and Saudi Arabia and Iran in the Middle East. Data was obtainedfrom review of relevant literature. It is found out that China’s oil policy is verymuch driven by the Beijing Consensus. China has applied an equity ownershipstrategy to have more control over oil flows as a shield against price fluctuationsand to reduce supply interruption. Civil unrest and conflicts in the MENA regionthreatens to disrupt China’s energy supply channels, which implies that Chinashould work for peace in the MENA region to achieve its sustainable energysupply.