China and the Levant: Unlike any other world power

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

The Levant is one of the most conflict-prone sub-regions in the Middle East and has relatively few natural sources. Hence, over the years it has played a secondary role for China compared with other parts of the region. After China initiated the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), it began assigning the region greater importance due to its geopolitical position and the diplomatic opportunities it offers. Still, China’s overall political and economic investments in the Levant remained relatively small, as did its willingness to include the Levant in the BRI’s main ground routes. By demonstrating this argument, the chapter challenges the “debt trap” theory.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationRoutledge Handbook on China–Middle East Relations
EditorsJonathan Fulton
Place of PublicationLondon
PublisherLondon : Routledge
Chapter7
Pages93-107
Number of pages15
Edition1
ISBN (Electronic)9781003034520
ISBN (Print)9781032126326, 9780367472702
DOIs
StatePublished - 28 Dec 2021

Publication series

NameRoutledge Handbooks

Keywords

  • Area Studies, Politics & International Relations

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