MIDDLE EAST INSTITUTE, 2018 ANNUAL CONFERENCE

About the Conference

MEI’s annual conference brought together experts form various fields such as economics, political science and sociology. The speakers sought to address two major sets of questions as China’s engagement with the Middle East deepened:

1. What geopolitical challenges and opportunities does this present? Can the Chinese preference for focusing primarily on economics/business and minimising its geopolitical engagement be sustained in this volatile yet indispensable region? What is the scope for competition and collaboration among the US, Russia and China there? And what role will regional powers like Israel, Turkey, Iran and Saudi Arabia play in the mix?
2. What are the commercial and religious challenges and opportunities that come into view as China’s engagement with the Middle East deepens: for China, for the Middle East, and for third parties like Singapore?

The full programme for the conference may be found HERE.

Listen to the welcome address by Director of MEI Professor Engseng Ho, speeches by featured speakers Mr Chan Chun Sing and Mr Ong Ye Kung, and the full panel sessions.

Here are some of the other presentations made during the conference:

Dr Michael Hwang examined how existing measures dealing with BRI disputes could be adapted, and improved upon.

Dr Nasser Saidi sought to answer the question of whether the Middle East is ready for China.

Mutlaq al-Morished gave an overview of the petrochemical industry in the GCC.

Dr James Dorsey spoke on China’s efforts at challenging Western interpretations of human rights.

Dr Ariel Cohen sought to answer the question of whether China would replace the US as the Middle East Hegemon

In the closing roundtable, Ehud Yaari and Dr Jon Alterman gave their insights on China and the Middle East from a geopolitical perspective.