Advertisement
Opinion | Wary of ‘the ugly American’, the Arab world is leaning towards China and Russia
- As the US funds Israel’s war in Gaza, it is quickly losing credibility in the Middle East, where public opinion is tilting towards Beijing and Moscow
Reading Time:4 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
21
In the midst of the current chill in Sino-US relations, as well as the wars in Gaza and Ukraine, China’s image as a rising superpower and promoter of world peace is strengthening in the Arab World.
Advertisement
During the recent China-Arab States Cooperation Forum in Beijing, Chinese President Xi Jinping called for convening a peace conference to end the Gaza war and Palestinian suffering. Beijing has also proposed a plan for ending the Ukraine war.
In the same vein, the St Petersburg International Economic Forum, reportedly attended by 136 countries and regions last week, promoted the establishment of a multipolar world economy free from the hegemony of the US dollar. While at the forum, China’s ambassador to Russia was reported as describing ties between China and Russia as being at their “highest point”.
The deepening of China-Russia economic cooperation and the growing diplomatic influence of Beijing and Moscow in the Arab world are, however, raising eyebrows in the West. Russophobia and Sinophobia are increasing in the Western media, with commentaries often demonising Beijing and Moscow.
This is pushing many of us who were educated and worked in the West to turn our eyes away from the Western media and seek news from media outlets in the East.
Advertisement
Since the Cold War ended, the US’ relationships with Arab countries have been defined by its imperial ambitions and intervention in their internal affairs. The bloodshed in Gaza and Washington’s exploitative policy in the Middle East have caused Arabs to further distance themselves from the West and to deepen their ties with the East. Arabs now see Beijing and Moscow as genuine mediators in the Middle East.
Advertisement