Stephen Chan, SOAS. Photo: Noel Shelly China is investing resources in the Middle East, both to capture a larger share of the markets and to secure energy supplies for its future economic growth, Middle Eastern governments and investors have begun to respond to Chinese overtures, though it may be too early to foresee how the relationship will grow. On the wider canvas, however, the stage is set for a new ‘Great Game,’ writes SAJID RIZVI, in an introduction to his interview with eminent academic and China watcher Dr Stephen Chan, Professor of International Relations, University of London. Stephen ChanSajid Rizvi. Romance is in the air, and China and the Middle East are getting closer than ever before, or is it just a continuation of something warm percolating from the past and now being noticed more than before? Stephen Chan. China is being noticed now more than before, especially as all parts of the globe become aware of a looming rivalry between an economically developed China and the strongest powers in the West. Th e Middle East welcomes Chinese interest because it gives Arab countries some future leverage against western interests. Neither the Middle East nor China seeks to exploit their common interests now. The development of good contacts and good will is ‘banking’ for the future. Nor is the Chinese interest confined only to Arab countries, but there is a distinct Chinese interest in securing good will with Iran. There is a new ‘great game’ about to be played and the Chinese wish to be prepared. There is nothing romantic about this. However, the Chinese understand Islam poorly and have problems with their own Islamic minorities. To this extent, even wholesale jerseys the Americans are better prepared. Nevertheless, the Chinese will ‘run interference’ for Iran in the international sanctions campaign in the hope that diplomatic support will overcome cultural and diplomatic ignorance. So China is, to an extent, feeling its way. This also is not romantic but for a definite future economic purpose. SR. China did set targets for achieving turnovers in Middle East trade that sounded ambitious at the time, a few years ago in the spring of the current phase of socialist capitalism. Are those targets nearer being achieved? SC. It doesn’t matter whether the targets are being met or not. All that matters is preparation of the ground for the future. Right now, access to African petroleum is the primary project, both for now and the future. The Chinese are seeking to anchor themselves in Africa primarily, with the Middle East as key insurance. Even so, the Middle East is immensely attractive, given developed infrastructure and assured productivity streams. For the Americans, the competition is to retain primary interests in the Middle East now, with Africa as future insurance. There should be For symmetry here, but both the US and China are wary of the other, precisely because each envisages the possibility of future rivalry. The search for access is not yet ruthless, but it is certainly not sentimental. Right now, Africa and the Middle East have choices but, in the future, leverage can be used against them, too. Until then, yes, China is satisfied with its inroads to date in the Middle East, especially in terms of non-petroleum trade. China needs markets, but China is not a key player in the luxury goods market and its needs turnover in this key sector. It cannot be, for example, forever a cheap textiles trader. But this sort of profile will change as the future develops. SR. In the old China of Mao and then Deng the rhetoric of the Cold War and then imperialism, neo-colonialism, neo-imperialism and...