China and Middle East security

Modern Middle Eastern Muslim countries have a history of relationship with China which can be traced back before the emergence of Islam. China and Arab countries have developed a relationship for over 2000 years when both the civilisations were linked through the Silk Route.

1Since then, China and the Arab countries have been trading and developing strong cultural linkages. The Silk Route helped them benefit from each other’s civilisation.

The relationship was further strengthened after emergence of Islam, as both the civilisations have many common points. Both focused on people-centric governance, values, character, integrity, honesty and meritocracy for selecting rulers and officials. China is continuing the tradition.

The relationship went through disturbances during the century of humiliation of China. The Middle Eastern countries, especially the Gulf Cooperation Council states, took time to establish diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China. Egypt was the first from the Arabic world and Syria from Middle Eastern countries to recognise China. They established relations with China in 1956, followed by Iraq in 1958.

GCC and some prominent non-Arabic countries established diplomatic relations in 1970, '80s and '90s.

Why did GCC and Middle Eastern countries take so long time to establish diplomatic relations with China, especially against the backdrop of pro-Palestine policy of China? It is pertinent to highlight here Israel was the first country from the Middle East to approach China in 1950. China did not respond. The two countries established a diplomatic relationship in the early 1990s. One plausible answer is Western influence played a role.

However, things started to change in the early 1970s. Kuwait was the first country from the GCC to establish diplomatic relations in 1971, followed by Turkiye and Iran. Oman was next on the list in 1978, followed by UAE in 1984, Qatar in 1988, Bahrain in 1989 and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1990.

The attack on Iraqi nuclear installments by Israeli forces in 1981 further accelerated the change. The attack created unrest among the rulers of Middle East. They feared Israel could attack other countries, so they needed protection. Saudi Arabia contacted the US government and asked for long-range missiles and security shields. The US rejected the request. Saudis then contacted China for help. China provided Saudi Arabia with the required assistance. It shows China, unlike Western countries led by the US, came forward to assist Saudi Arabia in times of need. The incident encouraged other countries from the region and GCC to establish diplomatic relations with China.

Since then, the relationship between Saudi Arabia, other GCC countries, and China has been improving. Both (China-Middle East) have deep links in multiple fields. Now, the Middle East has become top oil exporter. The countries which export oil to China are Saudi Arabia, Iraq, UAE, Kuwait, Oman and Iran. Saudi Arabia is the leading exporter with 19pc followed by Iraq 11pc, Oman 8pc, Kuwait 7pc, UAE 7pc and Iran 6pc. It shows almost 50pc of China’s oil imports come from these six countries. China is also enhancing its investment linkages with all the countries of the region. After the launch of BRI, these efforts have accelerated.

China is convinced without permanent peace, the region cannot achieve sustainable development goals. Insecurity is impacting development and lack of development affecting security. In the words of President Xi Jinping, the region is facing a dual dilemma of security and development deficits. Thus, China is playing its role in restoring sustainable peace to the Middle East region. It is the primary reason for extremism and terrorism in the region. China considers it is important to talk about development needs and peace simultaneously.

China has deployed traditional Chinese wisdom to solve the security and development concerns of the region. It has presented a five-point proposal to bring back sustainable development and peace in the region.

First, it is advocating mutual respect to foster process of peace and development. China is urging world players to come out of the mentality of geo-politics and self-centered policies.

There is a need to work closely with regional countries to build strong cooperation and partnerships for peace and development in the region. There is a need to stop meddling in regional issues, as countries in the region have the wisdom and capacity to solve them.

Second, equity and justice should be guiding principles to solve the problems, especially the Palestine issue. China urges all countries to play a positive role in ensuring the sovereign rights of the Palestinian people. Palestine issue must be solved and the UN should play its role here.

Third is achieving non-proliferation in the region. The US and Iran should engage and resume compliance with the JCPOA; international community should support efforts by regional countries to establish a Middle East zone free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction.

Fourth is jointly fostering collective security. The dialogue, talks and solutions must focus on the legitimate concerns of all parties. Countries should respect each other and devise mechanisms to help lower conflict and enhance trust. The starting points can be ensuring the safety of oil facilities and shipping lanes; building a framework for collective, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security in the Middle East.

Fifth is accelerating development cooperation. President Xi Jinping once said development is the master-key for solving the issues and ensuring sustainable peace. China is urging all the players to work jointly to improve economic and development conditions of the region. It is important to help post-conflict countries rebuild, support greater diversity in the economic growth of oil-producing countries and assist other Middle Eastern nations in achieving development and revitalisation in light of the resource endowments of different countries in the region.

President Xi has proposed three actions to resolve the Palestine issue; people of Palestine have the right to enjoy freedom.

There should be a sovereign and independent State of Palestine according to the borders of 1967, and East Jerusalem should be the capital of the independent State of Palestine; the world community must give due attention to the needs of the people of Palestine and scale up their assistance and aid to Palestinians; the historical status quo of the holy sites in Jerusalem should be respected, and excessive and provocative words and actions should be avoided.

A large-scale, more authoritative and more influential international peace conference should be convened so as to create conditions for the resumption of peace talks and contribute tangible efforts to help Palestine and Israel live in peace. It will help find a sustainable solution that can ensure peace between Palestine and Israel and in the region.

On the issue of Syria, China proposed four actions to resolve the conflict there. First, China urges the international community to respect Syria's national sovereignty and territorial integrity. There should be no efforts of regime change and let the people of Syria decide their future. Second, China considers the sanctions to be lifted to secure development. Third, terrorists and UN-designated terrorist organisations must be uprooted. Syria has the right to fight and uproot terrorism from their country. Fourth, China supports the approach of inclusive and reconciliatory political solutions. The people of Syria should lead the process.

On the basis of above discussion, we can infer China is serious about peace and development in the region.

China does not believe in talking only, but taking practical steps. The most prominent example from the region is the rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran. It is a huge success considering the history of the two countries and the region. It is hoped Chinese efforts will bear fruit and the regional countries will be able to devise special mechanisms for achieving sustainable peace and development goals.