As US turns inward, China’s Xi Jinping pledges support to Iran and Iraq
- In phone calls to his Iranian and Iraqi counterparts, Xi continues Beijing’s year of intensive engagement in Middle East
- China has stepped up its efforts to play a larger role in the region, in a week dominated by US withdrawal and retreat
China is pushing for a bigger role in the Middle East, with President Xi Jinping engaging the Iranian and Iraqi leaders with pledges of help, as the United States beats a hasty retreat from Afghanistan and remains in a deadlock with Iran.
In a phone conversation with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Xi said China would support Iran’s “legitimate demands” in negotiations over its nuclear programme, and coordinate with the nation on regional affairs.
“No matter how the international and regional situation changes, China will unswervingly develop friendly relations with Iran. The two sides should continue to support each other on issues involving each other’s core interests and major concerns,” Xi said, according to a Chinese foreign ministry statement.
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Xi also spoke by phone with Iraqi President Barham Salih on Wednesday, saying China will support the country’s reconstruction effort.
The calls were the latest push by Beijing for a more prominent role in the region. On Tuesday, China’s special envoy for Middle East affairs Zhai Jun reminded a virtual gathering of Middle Eastern academics and former officials of the extensive engagement so far this year.
Zhai highlighted two visits this year by Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who promised to support the sovereignty of countries facing serious conflict, rejecting foreign interference, as well as cooperation in fighting the pandemic.
According to a readout from the Chinese foreign ministry, Zhai said Wang’s visit – along with China’s proposals relating to stability in Syria, the Palestinian-Israel dispute, Iran’s nuclear deal and peace in the Middle East – reflected Beijing’s “willingness to defend international justice and resolve conflicts and disputes to contribute Chinese wisdom to the search for long-term stability in the region”.
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Zhai said China would work with the Middle Eastern nations to build a “collective security mechanism” for the region. “In the future, China is willing to work together with countries in the Middle East in deepening anti-pandemic cooperation … safeguarding fairness and justice, building collective security and building a higher level of partnership,” he said.
According to official figures, China is now the Arab states’ largest trading partner, reaching nearly US$24 billion in bilateral trade last year. The region is also the biggest source for China’s crude oil imports.
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The Middle East’s position at the crossroads of Europe, Africa and Asia has seen growing Chinese investment in the region under Xi’s Belt and Road Initiative. The multibillion-dollar scheme promotes infrastructure connectivity to boost trade and investment between China and the rest of the world, but is viewed by critics as part of Beijing’s efforts to expand its global clout.
China and Middle Eastern nations face a rising security challenge, as the US has shifted its strategic focus to the Asia-Pacific, Sun Degang, a Middle East affairs expert with Fudan University, said.
“The US has reduced its foreign policy focus on the Middle East and shifted [this] to the Asia-Pacific region, which is likely to result in a power vacuum and security deficiencies that pose a threat to the security of Chinese personnel and investments in the region,” Sun said.
As a result, China is seeking “face-to-face” coordination with Middle Eastern countries to prevent the possible upgrade of risks, Sun said.
“China is seeking another approach – that is to engage in consultations through multilateral platforms, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, to promote regional stability, rather than the US approach of dividing the region into friends and enemies,” Sun said.
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Li Guofu, a Middle East affairs expert from China Institute of International Studies, said the concept of collective security, introduced by Foreign Minister Wang last year, was a new mechanism aimed at reducing the risks of turmoil in the region, where China’s interests were expanding, given the deepening of belt and road ties there.
China’s Middle East charm offensive continued on Tuesday with the announcement that it will host the fifth China-Arab State Expo this week in the northwestern city of Yinchuan in the Ningxia Hui autonomous region, home to a large Muslim population.
More than 239 companies will take part in the expo, representing sectors such as clean energy, medical care, digital economy and cross-border e-commerce. Ningxia government officials said the expo would help promote tech transfer and disputes mediation.
