China not interested in replacing the US

Huang Minxing, a professor at the Institute of Middle Eastern Studies, Northwest University

Given that China is the largest manufacturing country and Arab states have rich energy reserves, trade between the two sides is bound to increase. China's quality manufactured goods with attractive prices have helped the Arab states to stabilize commodity prices, control inflation and improve local people's livelihoods, while oil and gas from the Arab world have facilitated China's economic development.

Two-way investments have been mutually beneficial. Chinese investments in the Arab states, foreign-aid loans on favorable terms and export credits to the Arab states have given a much-needed impetus to their economic development, while the Arab countries' investment in China, for instance Saudi Arabia's investment in petroleum refining infrastructure, has helped develop China's oil refining industry.

Some have forecast a remarkable increase in China's influence in the Arab world as the US retreats from the world stage. Yet, despite its waning influence in the Arab world, the US still enjoys many advantages compared with China. Some Arab countries, including the members of the Gulf Cooperation Council and Jordan, have had special ties with the US for decades, while countries such as Saudi Arabia rely on the US for their national security, and this fact is not likely to change any time soon. So it is impossible for China to replace the US in the Arab world regardless of its obvious lack of motivation to do so.