China and the Middle East: Growing Influence and Divergent Perceptions
Due to the
Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the Middle East and the Mediterranean region - the geopolitical construct of South Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East - have become key to China's foreign policy. Andrea Ghiselli suggests in this article for the
Middle East Institute that China’s dependence on the region, though significant, is slowly decreasing. This gives China the capability to influence the economic future of countries in regional hotspots. Thus far, China has bought oil and gas from both Sunni and Shia countries without taking sides. However, were China to do otherwise, it might bring changes in significant ways akin to military intervention in favor of a competing party.
http://www.mideasti.org/content/map/china-and-middle-east-growing-influence-and-divergent-goals />
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