Doha: More than 40 speakers from China, the Arab world and beyond will congregate in Doha over the weekend to discuss the future prospects of Sino-Arab relations.
‘China and the Arabs: Future Prospects of Relations with a Rising Power’ will take place on Saturday and Sunday at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel.
The meeting takes place at a time when China’s increased engagement with the Arab world is becoming visible. This was underscored by China’s ‘Belt and Road’ initiative, a series of infrastructure projects which are aimed at tying China to many of the old ‘Silk Road’ countries.
When completed, the ‘Belt and Road[, announced by Chinese President Xi Jingping, will make it possible for goods and people to move more easily between the far east of China and Europe though the Middle East and North Africa.
This builds on an already strong economic and trade relationship between the Arab region and China — supplies from the Gulf states already provide a large proportion of Beijing’s energy needs.
The economic ties also have repercussions on the political sphere. China is increasingly projecting its power across parts of Asia.
Understanding the forces which shape Chinese policies towards the Arab World is an increasingly urgent imperative. Panel discussions will go beyond present-day political and economic concerns to explore the rich history of the Sino-Arab relationship. This includes sessions devoted to the religious legacy of Islam in China and the trade of ideas and scientific knowledge between the two civilisations in medieval times. The conference will be open to the public. All presentations will be in Arabic or English and simultaneous translation between the two languages will be available throughout the sessions.
The Peninsula
Doha: More than 40 speakers from China, the Arab world and beyond will congregate in Doha over the weekend to discuss the future prospects of Sino-Arab relations.
‘China and the Arabs: Future Prospects of Relations with a Rising Power’ will take place on Saturday and Sunday at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel.
The meeting takes place at a time when China’s increased engagement with the Arab world is becoming visible. This was underscored by China’s ‘Belt and Road’ initiative, a series of infrastructure projects which are aimed at tying China to many of the old ‘Silk Road’ countries.
When completed, the ‘Belt and Road[, announced by Chinese President Xi Jingping, will make it possible for goods and people to move more easily between the far east of China and Europe though the Middle East and North Africa.
This builds on an already strong economic and trade relationship between the Arab region and China — supplies from the Gulf states already provide a large proportion of Beijing’s energy needs.
The economic ties also have repercussions on the political sphere. China is increasingly projecting its power across parts of Asia.
Understanding the forces which shape Chinese policies towards the Arab World is an increasingly urgent imperative. Panel discussions will go beyond present-day political and economic concerns to explore the rich history of the Sino-Arab relationship. This includes sessions devoted to the religious legacy of Islam in China and the trade of ideas and scientific knowledge between the two civilisations in medieval times. The conference will be open to the public. All presentations will be in Arabic or English and simultaneous translation between the two languages will be available throughout the sessions.
The Peninsula
