Author:
Abstract:
The object of this paper is North Africa and Mediterranean. The subject of research is China’s policy towards North African countries during “Arab spring” and at the present historical stage. This article is devoted to the role of the North African and Mediterranean countries in contemporary China’s foreign policy and in new Chinese initiative “One Belt–One Road”(BRI). The methodological basis of research is comparative political approach. The fundamental China’s foreign policy principle is non – interference in internal affairs of other countries. The study shows, that “Arab awakening” has become a test for Beijings’ traditional commitment to this principle, composing it by measures for protection of Chinese citizens, business and financial investments abroad. At the same time, Beijing drew conclusions from the Libyan events. Together with Russia it has prevented the escalating of Syrian conflict under the Libyan scenario. In Beijing foreign policy strategy the new initiative BRI takes the leading place. The aim of this research is to show that the North African and Mediterranean countries, located at the crossroads of the land and sea Silk roads, play an important role in new Chinese project. Egypt, Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia are in focus of China’s interests. The implementation of Chinese initiative envisages infrastructure projects, which should cover all expanse of the Belt. These projects include the construction of railways and highways, aviation, energy, industrial parks, construction of ports in Turkey, Greece, Israel and other coastal countries. The author makes the conclusion: although China adheres to doctrine of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries and avoids participation in armed confrontation, it aspires to play the role of influential player in North Africa and Mediterranean and to strengthen its economic, political and military influence in this important region.
Keywords:
China, North Africa, Mediterranean, Arab spring, Syria, Iraq, BRI
DOI:
10.31132/2412-5717-2018-43-2-95-110
References:
Blanchard B. China says may have citizens fighting in Iraq. Reuters. July 28, 2014. https://www.investing.com/news/world-news/china-says-may-have-citizens-fighting-in-Iraq (accessed 20.09.2014)
Blizhnevostochnij tur Si Tsin-pina – deciatki soglasheniy, novije partner (Xi Jinping Middle East Tour – Tens of Agreements, New partners) RIA Novosti. Rossija segodnja. 23.01. 2016. https://ria.ru/world/20160123/1363961791.html (accessed 05.02.2016)
Botobekov U. What’s are China’s Stakes in Syria? The Diplomat. Jan.27, 2017. thediplomat.com/2017/01/whats-are-chinas-stakes-in-syria/ (accessed 30.01.2017)
Campbell H. Opposing Qaddafi’s massacre and foreign intervention in Libya.2011-03-24
Cendrowski Sc. China’s Iraq Oil Problem. Fortune. June 30, 2014. fortune.com/2014/06/30/ chinas-iraq-oil-problem (accessed 20.09.2014)
China counting financial losses in Libya. Global Times. March 4, 2011.
China earmarks $124 bn for Belt and Road economic plan. The BRICS Post. May 14, 2017. thebricspost.com (accessed 15.01.2018)
China partners with U.S. firm in Egypt. CNN Money Fortune. N.Y. 30 August, 2013. money.cnn.com/2013/08/30/news/economy/apache (accessed 15.01.2017)
China Reacts Cautiously to Events in Egypt. News RSS Feed. February 12, 2011.
China respects choice of Tunisian people: vice FM. Xinhua News Agency. 8.03.2011.
China Support Iraqi gov’t in stabilizing situation. People’s Daily Online (Xinhua). Aug.16, 2014 https://www.globalsecuruty.org/wmd/library/news/iraq/2014-iraq140816 (accessed 03.10.2015)
China to Set-up Counter-terrorism Intelligence Center.Law. Xinhuanet. December 27, 2015. http;//news.xinhuanet.com/english/2015-12/ (accessed 15.01.2016)
China, Tunisia pledge to boost cooperation in trade, infrastructure. Xinhua. 2016-05-14. www..xinhuanet.com/English/2016-05/14/c_ 135358823.htm (accessed 15.05.2016)
China Urges Inclusive Political Process in Libya. This Day Live. 21 Oct. 2011.
Deych T.L. Livijsky krisis v svete interesov Rossii, Kitaja i Afriki. (Lybian crisis in the view of Russia, China and Africa interests). Aziya i Africa Segodnya. 2011. № 9 (650).
Ding Ying. Out of Libya. Beijing Review. March 10, 2011. http://china-wire.org/r.p=10523 (accessed 15.01.2017).
Doyon J., Codement Fr. China and the Mediterranean Open for Business? European Council on Foreign Relations. 21 June 2017. www.ecfreu/publications/summary/china-and-the-mediterraneen-open-for-business (accessed 15.09.2017)
Egypt calls for more Chinese investment. People’s Daily Online. Aug.30.2012. http://english.people.daily.com.cn.90883/792275.html (accessed 20.03.2016)
Elumami Ah. Libya awaiting Chinese team for railways talks. China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC). Tripoli. 27 Febr. 2013. www.libyaherald.com/2013/02/27/(libya-awaiting-chinese-team-for-railway-talks (accessed 15.01.2015)
Former China diplomat pins blame for refugee crisis on West. Reuter. Nov. 2, 2015. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-china-former-diplomat (accessed 05.02.2016)
Fornaji H. Chna’s new Libyan ambassador faces big challenges on stuck contracts. 2013/08/06. http://www.libyaherald.com/2013/08/06/chinas-new-libyaherald.co/chinas-new-libyan-ambassador-faces-big-challenges-on-stuck-contracts (accessed 15.09.2013)
Junbo J. China’s second coming in Libya. Asia Times. Aug.31, 2011.
Lee J. China offers Iraq 11.7 m for Reconstruction. Construction & Engineering in Iraq. July 13, 2017.
Libya: China, Libya Vow to Cooperate in Libyan Reconstruction. Capital FM. June 12, 2012.
Libya expects Chinese companies to resume business. African News. 2013-03-06. English news.cn (accessed 15.05.2013)
Morocco rejoins African Union after more than 30 years. The Guardian. Global Development. 31 January, 2017. https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2017/jan/31/morocco-rejoins-african-union (accessed 15.09.2017)
Pambazuka News. Issue 552. http://pambazuka.org/en/category/features (accessed 10.11.2011)
Pant H. V. Haidar A. M. China’s Expanding Military Footprint in Africa. ORF Issue Brief. Issue № 195. Sept. 2017.
Predsedatel Banka Kitaja: Sredizemnomorsky region zanimaet vazhnoje mesto v stroitelstve “Pojasa i Puti” (Bank of China President: Mediterranean Occupies an Important Place in Building of “Belt and Road”) Russian. News. Cn. 2017-12-03. russian.news.cn./2017-12/03/c136796147.htm (accessed 15.01.2018)
Rinehart J.E. The Chinese Military Overview and Issues for Congress. 24.03.2016. https: fas.org/sdp/crs/row/R44196 pdf (accessed 05.04.2016)
Rudolf M. China’s New Era of Diplomacy: Engaging in Syria. The Diplomat. Jan.25, 2016. https://thediplomat.com/2016/01/25/chinas-new-era-of-diplomacy-engaging-in-syria (accessed 03.02.2016)
Salitskij A. Upiter i byk v mirovoj politike (Kto vyigral vojnu v Livii?) Upiter and Bull in World Politics (Who wined war in Libya?) Slanet.ru. 02.10. 2011. https://www.fondsk.ru/news/2011/10/ 02/upiter-i-byk-v-mirovoj-politike (accessed 10.11.2011)
Sopernichestvo KNR i SSHA na Arabskom Perekrestke. (China and USA Rivalry on the Arab Cross-road) Mirovaja politika i resursy. 14 Febr.2012 www.wprr.ru/arvhives/2634 (accessed 11.05.2013)
Tsaturjan S. “Shelkovij put” probiraetsja v Evrosojuz cherez turetskij Chataj (“Silk Road” Makes its Way into European Union through Turkish Hattay). REGNUM. 25 March 2017. https://regnum.ru/ news/polit/2169563.html (accessed: 26.03.2017)
Tunisia-China: Investment and Trade Forum. The Foreign Investment Promotion Agency FIPA-Tunisia. 15.06.2009
Tzogopoulos G. Сhina fosters integration in Mediterraneen. Global Times 2017/12//6. www.globaltimes.cn.content/1079025.shtml (accessed 15.09.2018)
Under the Radar. What’s behind China’s Love Affair with Morocco. Global Rish Insights. March 26, 2017. https://globalrisksinsights.com/2017/03/chinas-love-affair-with-morocco (accessed 15.09.2017)
Vasilev Aleksey. Petrov Nikolaj. Recepty arabskoj vesny. Russkaja versija. Gl. XIX. Deych.T.L. Crisis v svete interesov Rossiji, Kitaja i Afriki. (Recipes of Arab Spring.Russian version. Chapter XIX. Crisis in the view of interests of China, Russia and Africa) Мoscow. Algoritm. 2012. 303 p. ISBN 978-5-4438-0148-3.
Volodzko D. How China Helped Cause the Syrian Refugee Crisis. The Diplomat. Sept 14, 2015. https://thediplomat.com/2015/09/how-chona-helped-cause-the-syrian-refugee-crisis (accessed 24.09.2015)
Why China wants in Syria’s Reconstruction Program. Sputnik. Middle East. 16.03.2017 https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201703161051647897china-syria-reconstruction-cooperation (accessed 03.02.2018)
Xi Jinping I M.Mursi zajavili o svoem namereniji sposobstvovat ukrepleniju kitajsko-egipetskogo vzaimodejstvija. .Xi Jinping and M. Mursi declared their intention to promote strengthening China–Egypt strategy cooperation. Xinhua. 2013-03-28. http://russian.cri.cn41/2013/03/28 1s 462775.htm (accessed 11.05.2013)
Yun Sun. Inserting Africa into China’s One Belt, One Road Strategy. A new opportunity for jobs and infrastructure. The Brookings. Africa in Focus. March 2, 2015.