Beijing invests billions of dollars in Middle East to expand regional influence
A conference opens today in the Chinese capital gathering together leaders from 21 Arab nations. Xi Jinping offers a billion dollar package through privileged credit lines, loans and humanitarian assistance. Confirmation of China's growing interest in the region. "Development" the only way to resolve problems.
Beijing (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Chinese President Xi Jinping has promised over $ 23 billion in aid to Arab countries affected by war and violence in the Middle East, through privileged credit lines, loans and humanitarian assistance. For Beijing it represents an important decision, confirming China’s growing interest in the Middle East region.
The announcement of the Chinese leader Xi came this morning in the context of a conference scheduled today in the capital bringing together the main representatives of the Arab world. In terms of humanitarian assistance, in the near future Syria, Yemen, Jordan and Lebanon - the nations most affected by wars and refugee emergencies - will be eligible for 91 million dollars.
Xi Jinping then went on to underline that another 151 million dollars will be allocated for aid and development projects. The remaining sum over the 23 billion will be allocated later for economic and financial cooperation programs.
Analysts and commentators underline that the project, although still only on paper, presents some uncertainties about timing and implementation methods.
Commenting on the initiative, the Chinese president stressed the "oil and natural gas" model in order to re-launch the thin finances of some countries in the region. Addressing the leaders of 21 nations in Beijing, he explained that "development" is the only way to resolve the many problems concerning security.
"We should treat each other frankly, not fear differences, not avoid problems, and have ample discussion on each aspect of foreign policy and development strategy,” he said. ". Beijing also promised 150 million dollars (equal to one billion yuan) to Palestine to support economic development.
In recent years China, which has traditionally played a minor role in Middle Eastern conflicts, is trying to expand its influence in the Arab world for economic purposes. In fact, its dependency on energy supplies, essential to support the industrial growth plan, is linked to the Middle East. Hence the choice to become increasingly involved with local conflicts and tensions, to balance the influence of Washington and Europe. This would also explain its diplomatic and commercial support to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in these seven years of civil war.
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04/11/2004
