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 bee...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.展开更多
Over the years since discourse about migrant labour became central to academic study of the Gulf region,a substantial outpouring of literature has been produced on the phenomenon.Its statistical characteristics,its si...Over the years since discourse about migrant labour became central to academic study of the Gulf region,a substantial outpouring of literature has been produced on the phenomenon.Its statistical characteristics,its significance for the development of the economies and political systems of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries,and its impact on labour-exporting societies and economies have all been meticulously documented.Attention has also been given to the living conditions of the migrant workers themselves.展开更多
Peace and stability in the Gulf region are of critical importance to all states which have significant economic relations with the Gulf countries.They are particularly important when these relations can be described a...Peace and stability in the Gulf region are of critical importance to all states which have significant economic relations with the Gulf countries.They are particularly important when these relations can be described as involving a large measure of mutual dependence.China’s economic relations with the Gulf countries have that character,given the Gulf’s critical need to export oil,and China’s long-term requirement for oil imports from the region.Whereas Western countries have sought to protect their interests in the Gulf by military engagement,China has wisely avoided that course of action.That might seem to leave China with less leverage to protect its interests there,but this need not be so.China has an alternative means at its disposal.Mutual dependence conveys a kind of soft power.The“Belt and Road”Initiative offers opportunities for all Gulf countries to deepen and widen their international economic engagement.Effective engagement in this,however,depends on the resolution of existing conflicts between Gulf countries.The existing economic relationship,complemented by what can be offered for the future,provide China with an effective channel to encourage reconciliation,creating the underpinning for peace and stability in the region.展开更多
This article seeks to convey an accurate view of the nature,dynamics,activities and potential of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation,so that Gulf States can make a realistic assessment of what they would have to gai...This article seeks to convey an accurate view of the nature,dynamics,activities and potential of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation,so that Gulf States can make a realistic assessment of what they would have to gain by associating themselves with the body,as well as taking account of possible drawbacks.Data is presented on the population size of the member states,and also relevant material on the economies,the flows of trade,and defence capabilities.Emphasis is placed on the changing conceptual frameworks underpinning the organisation,with a steady broadening out from the strategic objectives which initially brought the states together,towards broader concerns which comprise a wide range of economic,social and cultural cooperation.It is suggested that the Gulf Cooperation Council states have much to gain from engaging with the organisation,given that it constitutes a key element in the emerging global economic and political order.展开更多
The sharp rise in oil price is bringing a huge increase in the resources which the government of Saudi Arabia can spend on development.The government has responded by creating highly ambitious new development plans,wi...The sharp rise in oil price is bringing a huge increase in the resources which the government of Saudi Arabia can spend on development.The government has responded by creating highly ambitious new development plans,with a vision of turning the country into a global industrial power by 2024.This article looks first at the historical record of oil booms in Saudi Arabia,focusing in particular on what happened in the first oil boom(1973-82).While the latter boom did see substantial development in specified fields,it failed to lead on to sustainable non-oil development.The article contends that there is reason to believe that the new developmental vision is well-grounded in reality.This is mainly because Saudi Arabia’s accession to the WTO will give Saudi petrochemicals better access to world markets.Due to the character of the labor market,however,Saudi Arabia’s emergence as a global industrial power(based on petrochemicals)will not resolve some of the country’s most pressing social problems.展开更多
文摘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.
文摘Over the years since discourse about migrant labour became central to academic study of the Gulf region,a substantial outpouring of literature has been produced on the phenomenon.Its statistical characteristics,its significance for the development of the economies and political systems of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries,and its impact on labour-exporting societies and economies have all been meticulously documented.Attention has also been given to the living conditions of the migrant workers themselves.
文摘Peace and stability in the Gulf region are of critical importance to all states which have significant economic relations with the Gulf countries.They are particularly important when these relations can be described as involving a large measure of mutual dependence.China’s economic relations with the Gulf countries have that character,given the Gulf’s critical need to export oil,and China’s long-term requirement for oil imports from the region.Whereas Western countries have sought to protect their interests in the Gulf by military engagement,China has wisely avoided that course of action.That might seem to leave China with less leverage to protect its interests there,but this need not be so.China has an alternative means at its disposal.Mutual dependence conveys a kind of soft power.The“Belt and Road”Initiative offers opportunities for all Gulf countries to deepen and widen their international economic engagement.Effective engagement in this,however,depends on the resolution of existing conflicts between Gulf countries.The existing economic relationship,complemented by what can be offered for the future,provide China with an effective channel to encourage reconciliation,creating the underpinning for peace and stability in the region.
文摘This article seeks to convey an accurate view of the nature,dynamics,activities and potential of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation,so that Gulf States can make a realistic assessment of what they would have to gain by associating themselves with the body,as well as taking account of possible drawbacks.Data is presented on the population size of the member states,and also relevant material on the economies,the flows of trade,and defence capabilities.Emphasis is placed on the changing conceptual frameworks underpinning the organisation,with a steady broadening out from the strategic objectives which initially brought the states together,towards broader concerns which comprise a wide range of economic,social and cultural cooperation.It is suggested that the Gulf Cooperation Council states have much to gain from engaging with the organisation,given that it constitutes a key element in the emerging global economic and political order.
文摘The sharp rise in oil price is bringing a huge increase in the resources which the government of Saudi Arabia can spend on development.The government has responded by creating highly ambitious new development plans,with a vision of turning the country into a global industrial power by 2024.This article looks first at the historical record of oil booms in Saudi Arabia,focusing in particular on what happened in the first oil boom(1973-82).While the latter boom did see substantial development in specified fields,it failed to lead on to sustainable non-oil development.The article contends that there is reason to believe that the new developmental vision is well-grounded in reality.This is mainly because Saudi Arabia’s accession to the WTO will give Saudi petrochemicals better access to world markets.Due to the character of the labor market,however,Saudi Arabia’s emergence as a global industrial power(based on petrochemicals)will not resolve some of the country’s most pressing social problems.
