Thread by @WholePicture_

#Thread about #NearEast #China #Oil #Iran #nuclearweapons #5G #geopolitics :

Beijing is counting on reviving the nuclear deal with Tehran

Historically, China had maintained relationships with the Middle East to secure and diversify energy supplies.

nzz.ch/international/…

In the ranking of those countries from which China imports the most oil, five still come from the region. Saudi Arabia leads the ranking ahead of Russia.

The main oil suppliers of China
Import in 2020, in millions of tons

#Oil #SaudiArabia #Russia
by @NZZAusland @NZZ
Source: nzz.ch/international/…

The region is of central importance in China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). In 2016, China became the largest foreign investor in the Middle East.

High-tech from China is also in demand. Telecommunications supplier Huawei is building the network for the new 5G wireless standard in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, although Washington had put pressure on the three countries to choose other providers.

Since last year, Beijing has also used the Covid-19 pandemic to female support in the region. First, China sent masks and medical equipment. Chinese vaccines were then tested in clinical phase III studies in Egypt, Bahrain, Jordan and also Saudi Arabia.

A new agreement stipulates that China should invest 400 billion dollars in Iranian roads, rail lines and ports over the next 25 years and receive privileged market access. In return, China secures cheaper oil supplies.

There was also speculation about deeper military cooperation between the two countries, which could even provide for Chinese soldiers to be stationed in Iran.

Criticism can be heard again and again that the former American President Donald Trump drove Beijing into his arms in 2018 by breaking the Tehran nuclear agreement, which would allow China to further expand its influence in the region.

And yet the Chinese rulers are hesitant to implement the comprehensive, including military, strategic partnership.
Should the nuclear deal be revived and the sanctions ended, however, the time would be ripe for Sino-Iranian rapprochement.

Five years ago, Delhi had signed an agreement with Iran under which India would invest in the port of Chabahar, which is strategically located on the Gulf of Oman.

However, Iran withdrew the project from India because, according to Tehran, Delhi had delayed investments under pressure from America. Now China is ready and they would love to invest there too.