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ChinaMed’s Head of Research Andrea Ghiselli (University of Exeter) and Mohammed Alsudairi (Australian National University) are interviewed by Mercy Kuo in an article for The Diplomat, discussing their new book “Narratives of Sino-Middle Eastern Futures.”
In the interview, the authors state that:
“It can be said that Chinese elites have a rather ambivalent view of the region. There are important economic, energy, and diplomatic factors that make the Middle East important to China. Yet, continued instability there and the fact that Beijing’s 'core interests' lie elsewhere reduces the Middle East on the ladder of Chinese external priorities. […]
Saudi elites […] consider China an indispensable economic partner and a useful counterweight to Washington, while recognizing that the Chinese are not willing to offer more in a substantive sense. It is clear that these elite still prefer the U.S. as a security partner, but if this cannot be maintained, their alternative preference is to pursue strategic autonomy, […] all while becoming a regional anchor in a post-American future.”
Read the full article here.
