The Middle East

Abstract

In recent years there have been dramatic developments in China’s military relations with some Middle Eastern governments. Mostly behind the scene, the Chinese have undertaken to supply these governments with arms, ammunition and spare parts in quantities unheard of before. The significance of these arms transactions cannot be overstated. For one thing, they testify to China’s resumed military production, as well as to better conventional military capabilities than so far realised. For another, they have provided the Chinese with their first worthy foothold in the Middle East, with some tangible strategic advantages over the Soviets and with initial leverage over the local governments. Finally, and most important, earning China not only crucially-needed foreign exchange but also samples of advanced weapons, intelligence and technological information and more intimate understanding of Soviet warfare, these deals have come to play a notable role in China’s military modernisation programme. After years of frustration, the Chinese have at last begun to collect Middle Eastern dividends.