MIDDLE EAST INSTITUTE, 2018 ANNUAL CONFERENCE
About the Conference
The Middle East is a central region around which Asia, Africa and Europe pivot. When the West went east towards China, it crossed the Middle East and stayed; this is also known as the history of colonialism. Today, as China moves west in reverse, with its Belt and Road Initiative, will China do things differently?
The Middle East Institute at the National University of Singapore will host a conference to address two major sets of questions that arise as China’s engagement with the Middle East deepens:
- 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?
- 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?
About the Speaker(s)
Keynote-Speaker and GOH
Mr Chan Chun Sing
Singapore Minister of Trade and Industry
Special Guest Speaker
Mr Ong Ye Kung
Singapore Minister of Education
