China And Qatar Seal LNG Deal Worth $60 Billion
China gain a setback to US in the Middle East?
Is China “Woo-All” Policy a recipe for disaster?
China sealed one of the largest ever liquefied natural gas (LNG) deals with Qatar worth a record $ 60 Billion . Qatar energy minister and head of Qatar energy Saad al-Kaabi , signed the agreement with Ma Yongsheng Sinopec Chairman .
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Saad Al-Kaabi ( Qatar Energy Chief)
Today is an important milestone for the first sales and purchase agreement for the north field east project .
It is 4 million tonnes for 27 years to Sinopec of China . It signifies long-term deals are here and important for both seller and buyer”.
The landmark deal is set to bolster Beijing energy security for decades amid shortages caused by the Russia-Ukraine war . Qatar energy will send China Petroleum and chemical Corporation 4 million tonnes of LNG a year starting in 2026 in a deal expected to last 27 years .
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China Growing Influence In Middle East
China has been solidifying ties with several other countries in the middle east in recent times. Earlier Chinese refiner Zhejiang Petroleum and Chemical Co (ZPC) signed a purchase deal with Saudi Arabia Saudi Aramco .
The deal worth $ 735million includes the purchase of 7.88 million barrels of crude oil from Saudi Arabia . China has also emerged as a major arms suppliers for many countries in the middle east .
US intelligence reports claim that Saudi Arabia is actively manufacturing its own ballistic missiles with the help of China . In February the UAE had also announced plan to purchase 12 L15 planes from China .
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China Strategy In The Middle East
Expert say China Middle East outreach is characterised by the policy of achieving influence without entanglement . Unlike the US , China is open to expanding ties unconditionally with all players in the Middle-East .
China does not make it assistance dependent or conditional on a nation domestic policies or even foreign policy . Hence China is considered to be an ideal business partner by several Middle-Eastern nations .
Even Israel - the ally which the US is most committed to has replaced America with China as its leading source of imports .
China Balancing Act In The Middle East
China has cautiously walked a tightrope in the region to balance ties between regional rivals . China has so far managed to balance its relations with Israel the Arab Gulf States and Iran .
In case of Iran , China has avoided steps that could jeopardise its relations with Saudi Arabia and the other Gulf states . China knows both Riyadh and Tehran won’t maintain ties with a country that cultivates a substantial security relationship with its rival .
Some experts say that arms deals aside China is unlikely to establish a major military footprint in the Middle East . Reports in 2021 of a Chinese military base in the UAE suggesting a strategic shift have been denied by China and the UAE.
Challenge For China In The Middle East
However some analysts warn that Beijing courting players on all sides of the fence in the middle east could be a recipe for disaster . China has so far managed to steer clear of the region complex national rivalries and sectarian conflicts .
However some experts warn that its growing presence in the region will likely pull Beijing into wider engagement eventually .
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