CHINA AND THE RED SEA REGION
Keywords:
Red Sea, “One Belt, One Road”, China, Djibouti, Bab al Mandeb, Suez Canal
Abstract
Research Paper
DOI: 10.37458/ssj.4.2.4
As the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden waters are projected to be one of the main geostrategic and geoeconomic flashpoints of the competition among great powers, China is expected to further bolster its profile as a commercial and military heavyweight in this critical saltwater artery connecting the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocean. China is strategically leveraging its economic and military power to establish a significant presence in the Red Sea region, a critical maritime corridor. Through infrastructure investments, commercial partnerships, and naval deployments, Beijing navigates the delicate balance between economic expansion and military projection while managing the geopolitical implications of its growing influence, (Leonardo Jacopo, 2023). The article is based on my book: The Red Sea Region between War and Reconciliation, Liverpool University Press, 2019.
References
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Blanchard Ben, China sends troops to open first overseas military base in Djibouti, Reuters, July 12, 2017. https://www.reuters.com/article/china-djibouti-idINKBN19X04K
China’s Impact on Conflict Dynamics in the Red Sea Arena, United States institute for peace, April 27, 2020. https://www.usip.org/publications/2020/04/chinas-impact-conflict-dynamics-red-sea-arena
“China’s Impact on Conflict Dynamics in the Red Sea Arena,” 17-18; Aleksi Ylönen, “The Dragon and the Horn: Reflections on China-Africa Strategic Relations, Insight on Africa 12, 2 (2020): 150.
“China Building 7,500 Mile Long Undersea Cable Connecting China, Pakistan, Europe and Africa,” Pakistan Defense, March 20, 2021, https://defence.pk/pdf/threads/china-building-7-500-mile-long-undersea-cable-connecting-china-pakistan-europe-and-africa.705170/
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Idris Ali and Phil Stewart, 'Significant' consequences if China takes key port in Djibouti: U.S. general, Reuters, March 6, 2018. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-china-djibouti-idUSKCN1GI2V0
Kakissis Joanna ,“Chinese Firms Now Hold Stakes in Over a Dozen European Ports,” NPR, October 9, 2018, https://www.npr.org/2018/10/09/642587456/chinese-firms-now-hold-stakes-in-over-a-dozen-european-ports
Lons Camille, Battle of ports: Emirates Sea power spreads from Persian Gulf to Africa, Newsweek, August 3, 2018. https://www.newsweek.com/battle-ports-emirates-sea-power-spreads-persian-gulf-africa-1051959
Meservey Joshua, Eritrea’s Growing Ties with China and Russia Highlight America’s Inadequate Approach in East Africa, Hudson Institute, July 17, 2023. https://www.hudson.org/foreign-policy/eritreas-growing-ties-china-russia-highlight-americas-inadequate-approach-east-joshua-meservey
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Terdiman Moshe, Biden's America Is Returning to the Red Sea Basin, Haaretz, July 10, 2022. https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/2022-07-10/ty-article/.premium/ahead-of-bidens-visit-america-is-returning-to-the-red-sea-basin/00000181-e840-dace-ab93-f9f3f4130000
The Bab al Mandeb Strait is a strategic route for oil and natural gas shipments, The U.S. Energy Intelligence Administration, August 27, 2019. https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=41073
The Suez Canal Authority website https://www.suezcanal.gov.eg/English/About/SuezCanal/pages/aboutsuezcanal.aspx
Vertin Zach, “Great Power Rivalry in the Red Sea: China’s Experiment in Djibouti and Implications for the United States,” Global China, Brookings Doha Center (June 2020): 5-6, https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/FP_20200615_china_djibouti_vertin.pdf;
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York Geoffrey, Parting the Red Sea: Why the Chinese and U.S. armies are fortifying this tiny African country, June 7, 2019. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-parting-the-red-sea-why-the-chinese-and-us-armies-are-fortifying/
Waterway to the Future: Unleashing the Red Sea Arena’s Potential,
Think Research & Advisory, September 23, 2022. https://srmgthink.com/en/featured-insights/7/waterway-to-the-future-unleashing-the-red-sea-arenas-potential
Why China's First Overseas Military Base in Djibouti is 'Only the Beginning', Sputnik, July 13, 2017. https://sputnikglobe.com/20170713/china-military-overseas-1055515150.html
Published
2024-01-02
Section
Articles
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