Oases of Influence: Geopolitical Implications of China's Economic Engagement with the Arab World
Abstract
This thesis examines the political and security implications of China's economic expansion into the Middle East/North Africa (MENA) region. It employs a comparative case study method to assess the PRCs relations with three Arab states: Saudi Arabia, which is a major source of China's petroleum imports; Egypt, which is a significant destination for Chinese infrastructure development resources and a participant in China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI); and Jordan, which has relatively weak economic ties with the PRC. This research broadly encompasses the period between 1993, the year of China's emergence in the MENA region as a net energy importer, and the present. Ultimately, this thesis finds that China's increasing levels of regional economic engagement are linked with political responses from certain Arab governments. China's economic activities have not induced a shift in partner states voting behavior as it specifically relates to human rights in the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). It has, however, influenced the Saudi Arabian and Egyptian governments to respond domestically and internationally to China's Uyghur situation in ways that align with Chinese Communist Party (CCP) interests. It is also correlated with the weakening of the political and security partnership between Egypt and the United States. As such, this analysis suggests that China's regional economic engagement may be having effects on the broader international order.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 2021
- Accession Number
- AD1150690
Entities
People
- Harvey D. Iii Manley
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School