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Source: https://tcf.org/content/report/rising-china-eyes-middle-east/
A Rising China Eyes the Middle East
(Century Foundation) Lily Hindy - Disdaining traditional great power politics in the Middle East, Chinese President Xi Jinping described his view of China's role in the region before the Arab League in Cairo last January: "Instead of looking for a proxy in the Middle East, we promote peace talks; instead of seeking any sphere of influence, we call on all parties to join the circle of friends for the Belt and Road Initiative; instead of attempting to fill the 'vacuum,' we build a cooperative partnership network for win-win outcomes." China's economic reach in the Middle East is burgeoning through oil imports and machinery and textile exports, and its ambitious Belt and Road Initiative aims to gradually rebuild the legendary Silk Road trade route that ran from China through Central Asia and the Middle East into Africa and Europe.