Video: Perspectives on the growing ties between China and the Arab Gulf

China has deepened its economic ties, energy trade and technological cooperation with Gulf countries and is emerging as an important mediator in the MENA region. Photo © picture alliance / Xinhua News Agency | Ding Lin

Watch our event recording to learn more about the growing ties between China and the Arab Gulf countries and the role of Europe in the shifting landscape.

China has deepened its economic ties, energy trade and technological cooperation with Gulf countries. Its growing role and engagement in the Middle East region are increasingly gaining interest and inviting speculation among academic and policy circles. In addition, China is emerging as an important mediator in the region. It achieved a diplomatic breakthrough between Saudi Arabia and Iran in March 2023 and brokered the Beijing Declaration in July 2024 between major Palestinian factions. Much of the debate on China’s engagement in the Middle East, particularly in the Arab Gulf, focuses on the consequence of this involvement on the US influence in the region and on the great power competition beyond the Middle East. At a time of shifting global powers and the search for multi-polarity, it becomes equally important to also explore the role of Europe in the current changes, different positions within the EU on China and various levels of interests and engagement in the MENA region.

During our event, we brought together experts and researchers from China, Europe and the Gulf to share their perspectives on the growing ties between China and the Gulf countries. We also discussed implications of China’s growing engagement in the Middle East for the three regions and explored areas of cooperation toward conflict transformation.

Perspectives on the growing ties between China and the Arab Gulf

Drivers, trends and the role of Europe

27 November 2024

11:30 – 13:00 CET

Online event via Zoom.

This event was held in English.

Welcome remarks by Andrew Gilmour, Executive Director, Berghof Foundation

Speakers:

• Dr Zhou Yiqi, Senior Fellow, Shanghai Institute for International Studies
• Dr Saban Kardas, Research Professor, Gulf Studies Center, Qatar University
• Camille Lons, Policy Fellow and Deputy Head, Paris Office, European Council on Foreign Relations

Moderated by Lara Azzam, Senior Project Manager, MENA Unit, Berghof Foundation.

Media contact

You can reach the press team at:
+49 (0) 177 7052758
email hidden; JavaScript is required