China and the Middle East: Opportunities and Risks
May 15-17, 2017
Harvard Center Shanghai / 哈佛中心(上海)
5th Floor HSBC Building, Shanghai International Financial Centre /
上海国金中心汇丰银行大楼5层
No. 8 Century Avenue, Pudong New District, Shanghai / 上海浦东世纪大道8号
Monday, May 15, 2017
7:00pm Welcome Reception and Dinner
Ritz Carlton Shanghai Pudong
Cream Room, Level 3
Tuesday, May 16, 2017
8:15am Registration
8:45am Introduction
William Kirby, Harvard University
9:00am Session I: Geopolitical Picture
Analyzing power balances in the world at large and in the Middle East in particular. Has America’s influence declined in the Middle East in the wake of the Arab Spring and after its withdrawal from Iraq? How relevant are China and Russia in the region? How do we assess the re-entry of Russian power in the Middle East? What is the role of the Middle East in China’s foreign policy strategy? What are China’s aims and ambitions in the Middle East in terms of economics, politics, and military? In particular, what is driving the relationship between China and Iran?
Chair: Wang Jisi, Peking University
Panelists: Arne Westad, Harvard University
Jia Qingguo, Peking University
Susan Shirk, University of California San Diego
10:30am Break
10:50am Session II: Understanding Regional Transformations
Historical influences and recent developments in the Middle East and their ramifications for China. How do we assess the collapse of regular state structures and state capacity and the empowerment of sub-state actors in the Middle East? What kind of new order will emerge?
Chair: Iain Johnston, Harvard University
Panelists: Jay Harris, Harvard University
Wu Bingbing, Peking University
Salomon Wald, Jewish People Policy Institute
12:20pm Lunch
1:30pm Session III: Forecast for the Middle East
Will the Middle East be more or less stable in the coming years? What is the fate for ISIS? What will be possible flashpoints – Iran’s nuclear program, the Palestinian issue, ISIS, refugee relocation, or terrorism? What will be the roles of regional organizations? What are the implications for international relations? What are the best and worst possible outcomes?
Chair: Yao Yunzhu, Center for China-America Defense Relations
Panelists: Yaakov Amidror, Israel National Security Council
Li Shaoxian, Ningxia University
Liao Baizhi, China Institute of Contemporary International Relations
3:00pm Break
3:20pm Session IV: China’s strategy towards the Middle East
What is or should be China’s Middle East strategy? What are China’s aims in the Middle East? What are China’s economic relations and opportunities in the region? What are risks to guard against? In what way, and to what extent, will China be involved politically and militarily in Middle East countries? What is driving China’s bilateral relations with Israel, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkey?
Chair: Michael Szonyi, Harvard University
Panelists: Iain Johnston, Harvard University
Andrew Wilson, U.S. Naval War College
Shen Dingli, Fudan University
7:00pm Dinner
张生记 (Zhang Sheng Ji)
上海浦东陆家嘴西路168号正大广场6楼
6th floor, Super Brand Mall, 168 West Lujiazui Road, Pudong, Shanghai
Super Brand Mall is across the street from the Harvard Center Shanghai
Wednesday, May 17, 2017
9:00am Session V: Economic Cooperation and One Belt One Road
What is the present situation and potential for economic relations between China and the Middle East? What is the meaning and significance of One Belt One Road? What has OBOR achieved so far? How do China’s trade policies differ from the practices of Chinese businesses in the Middle East? Can China’s economic involvement in the Middle East play a stabilizing role? What are China’s economic interests in dealing with Iran? What are the responses from the United States and other Middle East countries to China-Iran bilateral relations?
Chair: William Kirby, Harvard University
Panelists: Zhu Feng, Nanjing University
Li Kaisheng, Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences
Meg Rithmire, Harvard University
10:30am Break
10:50am Session VI: Conclusions: China among the Great Powers
Suggestions for future cooperation between China and the Middle East and among think tanks. Potential for competition and collaboration between China and the United State and other powers in the Middle East. Analysis of the current power balance and U.S. influence in the Middle East.
Chair: Arne Westad, Harvard University
Panelists: Charles Kupchan, Georgetown University
Yao Yunzhu, Center for China-America Defense Relations
12:20pm Lunch
Members of the Harvard China Advisory Group will join the conference speakers and participants for lunch.