China’s growing involvement in the Middle East, intensified by the recent escalation of violence in Gaza, is prompting renewed scrutiny of ...

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.sdf.org/post/40765971

China’s growing involvement in the Middle East, intensified by the recent escalation of violence in Gaza, is prompting renewed scrutiny of Beijing’s regional strategy, The Jerusalem Post reports. Traditionally focused on securing access to energy resources, safeguarding trade corridors, and expanding infrastructure investments, particularly in the Gulf, China’s approach has until recently been marked by strategic ambiguity and a reluctance to take clear sides in regional rivalries.

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Energy security remains central to China’s engagement in the region. As the world’s leading oil importer, China currently sources approximately 40% of its oil from the Middle East; a figure projected to double by 2035. This dependency leaves Beijing vulnerable to disruptions in maritime chokepoints such as the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz, which are also vital routes for Chinese trade with Europe and Africa.

[…]

In Israel meanwhile, some have called for a reassessment of relations with China, despite limitations imposed by close ties to Washington. This reassessment could present Israel with an opportunity to strengthen its presence in Asian markets, diversify its regional relationships, while at the same time exploring deeper engagement with countries across the Global South; a region Iran struggles to relate to.

[…]

  • Hotznplotzn@lemmy.sdf.orgOPEnglish
    23·
    4 days ago

    In 2024, China imported goods worth $2.8bn from Israel, while Hong Kong imported an additional $2bn, according to the UN Comtrade database. With the combined $4.8bn, China is worldwide the second-largest buyer of Israeli goods behind the US.

    China was, however, the biggest exporter to Israel with $19bn, more than twice the volume of second US with $9.4bn, and Germany with $5.6bn.

    That’s more than ‘ambiguous talk’ but has rather long been materializing I would say.

    • BrikoX@lemmy.zipMEnglish
      4·
      4 days ago

      Considering China’s trade power, it’s more fair to compare it to the EU bloc which is by far the number one trade partner. Total trade in goods between the EU and Israel in 2024 amounted to €42.6 billion. EU imports from Israel were worth €15.9 billion. The EU’s exports to Israel amounted to €26.7 billion.

      And considering China’s total exports in 2024 were valued at US$3.58 trillion, it’s kind of insignificant in a sense that it signifies a shift in trade policy.

      • Hotznplotzn@lemmy.sdf.orgOPEnglish
        12·
        4 days ago

        And considering China’s total exports in 2024 were valued at US$3.58 trillion, it’s kind of insignificant in a sense that it signifies a shift in trade policy.

        Comparing China’s total trade to the share of a relatively small country like Israel makes no economic sense. Israeli exports are ‘insignificant’ also to the EU and the US, but this says nothing if not related to the size of its economies.

        China is the largest seller to Israel among all the countries in the world.

        Btw, China is also selling surveillance tech to Israel, a fact that is elegantly ignored by many here on Lemmy who are (rightfully) criticizing Israel and “the West” for its support. We must realize, though, that Israeli authorities are using facial recognition technology to entrench apartheid, as stated by Amnesty (and others) some time ago.

        The Israeli authorities are using an experimental facial recognition system known as Red Wolf to track Palestinians and automate harsh restrictions on their freedom of movement … In a new report, Automated Apartheid, [Amnesty International] documents how Red Wolf is part of an ever-growing surveillance network which is entrenching the Israeli government’s control over Palestinians, and which helps to maintain Israel’s system of apartheid […]

        Researchers identified the vendors of several cameras they found in occupied East Jerusalem. They documented high-resolution CCTV cameras made by the Chinese company Hikvision installed in residential areas and mounted to military infrastructure; some of these models, according to Hikvision’s own marketing, can plug into external facial recognition software. Amnesty International also identified cameras made by a Dutch company called TKH Security, in public spaces and attached to police infrastructure […]

        In an article, a newspaper titled, How Chinese firm linked to repression of Uyghurs aids Israeli surveillance in West Bank.