China’s Engagement with the Islamic Nations: A Clash or Collaboration of Modern Civilisation? (Understanding China)

This book provides a critical insight into China's evolving socio-cultural relations with Islamic countries in the face of growing geopolitical uncertainty. It considers both the historical and socioeconomic aspects of China-Islamic countries relations to present a balanced analysis of the effectiveness of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) plan and the current and future evolution of cooperation. The book also sheds new light of the impact on individual economic sectors, considering both the micro- and macro-effects on various stakeholders as the global community navigates an increasingly precarious power struggle between dominant world powers. The book presents contributions from a variety of fields to provide a multi-faceted breakdown of the challenges that remain for the myriad of relationships in the years to come. Acknowledgements Contents Editor and Contributors China and the Arab Region: Dynamics of Engagement Introduction China and the Persian Gulf Sub-region From Suspicious Enmity to Amiable Embrace Challenges and Issues in China’s Strategy China’s Relations with Egypt Quasi-mediator—China’s Diplomatic Engagement in the Libyan War and the Syrian War Participating Lightly in the Context of Mediation Directed by Others Expounding the General Position and Principles Without Laying Down a Concrete Plan Factors Account for China’s Limited Quasi-mediation Practice in the Libyan Conflict and the Syrian Conflict Conclusion References Theoretical Overview of China’s Strategic Relations with the Islamic Nations China’s Soft Power in the Middle East Introduction China’s Interests in the Middle East BRI as a Tool of Chinese Soft Power Economic Soft Power Political and Military Soft Power Cultural Soft Power Religious Soft Power Health Silk Route: China’s Soft Power During COVID-19 Pandemic Conclusion References Iran-China Comparing Foreign Policy: Pragmatists Versus Revolutionists Introduction Similarities in Foreign Policy Domestic Politics or Foreign Affairs Ideological Beliefs or Material Interests Economic Development vs Security Priorities Conclusions and Implications Notes References Coercion or Choice: Opportunities and Challenges of a 25-Year Agreement for Iran and China Introduction The Impacts of the CSP on the Future of Bilateral and Multilateral Relations Between Iran and China The Short-Term and Long-Term Benefits of the CSP for China China’s Challenges to Implement the Deal The Economic, Military, and Political Opportunities of the CSP for Iran Military Cooperation Political Cooperation Economic Cooperation The Political-Economic Challenges of CSP for Iran Conclusion References China and Iran Relations in the Context of the Changing World Order Introduction US and Iran: From Dominance to Containment China and US Relations Two Great Civilisations with a Shared History of International Isolation Iran Looks East and China Seeks to Become a Responsible Power Iran, US Containment, and the Belt and Road Initiative Security, Iran, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Conclusion References Iran’s Pragmatic Approach in Accommodating China’s Belt and Road Initiative: A Determinant for Future Closer Bilateral Cooperation Introduction: A Glimpse on China-Iran Strategic Engagement Avoiding the High Impact of US Sanctions The Belt and Road Initiative in China-Iran Relations Conclusion References China’s Hedged Economic Diplomacy in Saudi Arabia and Iran: A Strategy of Risk Mitigation Strategic Hedging: Theory and Application to China The Belt and Road Initiative Energy Security Saudi-Iranian Rivalry in the Context of China’s Regionalised Economic Diplomacy China-Iran Relations China-Saudi Arabia Relations China’s Strategic Hedging in the Persian Gulf Conclusion Notes References Understanding the BRI through its Strengths and Limitations Sino-Gulf Cooperation Council Partnership in a New Era of Great Power Competition Introduction Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) GCC States Integration in the BRI Framework Energy Economy Politics US and GCC States’ Integration in the BRI Framework Conclusion References China and Central Asian Countries’ Cooperation in the Sphere of Security: Religious Aspects and Beyond Introduction Security Cooperation Review Religious Characteristics or Challenges that Are Likely to Pose a Threat Understanding the Significance Questioning Geopolitics The Level of Investigating the Topic Theoretical Justification The Religious Factor in Geopolitical Games New Geopolitical Games in the Central Asian Region Multilateral Relations Between China and Central Asian States Conclusion Central Asia as a Shield for China References Collateral Damage in Sino-Arabic Cooperation: Assessing Middle Eastern and North African Silence and Complicity in the Uyghur Crisis Introduction The Uyghur Crisis Concerns Over Human Rights Violations and the Question of Genocide Forced Repatriation of the Uyghurs The Xinjiang Letters and the UN Human Rights Council Vote MENA: Co-opted States Conclusion Notes References The Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region—The Bridge Between Islam and Orientalism Introduction A Contextual Analysis of Xinjiang’s Identity Xinjiang Under Xi Changes in Social, Cultural, and Economic Identity Implementing the Belt and Road Initiative—Industrialisation and Beyond Reactions to the BRI and the XUAR Changing Attitudes Towards Relations with the Islamic Nations and the Significance of This Partnership Going Forward Understanding the Reactions of the Islamic Nations (Pakistan) Understanding the Reactions of the Islamic Nations (Turkey and its Neighbours) Conclusion References China, the Arab World, and Silk Road Diplomacy: Towards a New World Order Introduction Chinese Soft Power and the Xinjiang Dilemma China, Islam, and the Arab World BRI and the Arab Countries Algeria Bahrain Egypt Iran Iraq Jordan Kuwait Lebanon Morocco Oman Qatar Saudi Arabia UAE Islamic Foundations and Competing Ambitions: Myth or Reality Hemispheric in Scope and Global in Ambition Conclusion References