In recent years China has emerged as the global leader of peace and development. Its BRI initiative comprises 40% of global GDP, 65% of global population, 75% of known energy reserve. In terms of trade, from 213 to 2022, China’s trade in goods with countries along the Belt and Road doubled from $ 1.04 trillion to $ 2.07 trillion with an average annual growth rate of 8%. In terms of investment, from 2013 to 2022, China’s two-way investment with countries along the Belt and Road exceeded $ 270 billion. As of end of 2022, Chinese enterprises had invested a total of $ 57.13 billion in overseas economic and trade cooperation zones in countries along the Belt and Road, creating 421,000 jobs for the local people. The countries of the Belt and Road Initiative are spread across all countries: -
• 44 countries are in Sub-Saharan Africa
• 35 BRI countries are in Europe and Central Asia
• 25 BRI countries are in East Asia & Pacific (including China)
• 21 BRI countries in Latin America and Caribbean
• 18 countries of Middle East and North Africa
• 6 Countries in South East Asia
• BRI also works with 18 countries of the European Union and 9 countries of the G20
Besides BRI another initiative of China paved the way for durable , is restoration of diplomatic ties between Islamic Republic Iran and Saudi Arabia which is a big achievement of China and whole Muslim ummah of 1.75 billion is highly thankful to it. This deal is brokered by China. After years of hostility that fueled conflicts across the Middle East , Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed to end their diplomatic rift and reopen diplomatic missions in a significant deal facilitated by China. The agreement between Iran and Saudi Arabia to restore full diplomatic relations is a significant achievement.
Both countries are considered leaders of Muslim ummah. Riyadh and Tehran broke off relations in 2016, after Saudi authorities hanged Nimr al Nimr, a Shiite cleric and dissident, prompting protesters in the Iranian capital to sack the Saudi embassy. The Joint Trilateral Statement, as the deal is known, lays out a timetable for restoring full diplomatic ties, including an exchange of ambassadors. The statement, signed by the Saudi National Security adviser, Musaad bin Mohammad Al Aiban, the secretary of the Iranian Supreme National Security Council, Ali Shamkhani, and the director of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Chinese Communist Party’s Central Committee, Wang Yi, enjoins each of the two sides to respect the principles of sovereignty and non-interference in the other’s internal affairs. It gives the parties two months to continue meeting between themselves and with China, to work out the practicalities of renewing relations and reopening embassies. This paved the way of greater trade and investment, as well as cooperation in the fields of technology, science, culture, sports and youth. This deal brokered by China gave it an image of global peace maker and enhanced it influence in Middle East and reduced US influence there. In early December 2022, China’s President XI Jinping went to Riyadh for the first-ever Chinese-Arab summit. China then got involved to bridge the gap. This agreement will also pave the way for peace in Yemen which is Asia’s poorest country having a population of 30 million. 80% Yemeni depend on humanitarian aid, 9 years long proxy war destroyed it completely and it needs rehabilitation and reconstruction. 14% of its population has been displaced. Since 2010 China has replaced Washington as Middle East’s largest trade partner. It imports nearly half of its oil from Middle East. Saudi Arabia provided China US$ 176 billion crude oil in 2020. In 2021 Saudi China Trade volume was $ 87.3 billion accounting 27% of Saudi oil exports, 200-fold increase since restored relations 3 decades ago. Since 2010 China has been Iran’s top trade partner. In 2022 China-Iran trade volume was US$ 16 billion up 7% from the previous year. China is also a significant buyer of Iranian oil, and in March 2021, it signed a 25-year economic cooperation with Tehran. The deal between Saudi Arabia and Iran lends credence to its claim that it is a peacemaker, an actor that helps resolve conflict through consultation and dialogue.
IRAN SAUDI ARABIA COMPARISON
Iran Saudi Arabia
Area Sq Km 1,648,195 2,149,690
Population 2022 86,758,304 38,401,000
GDP (PPP) US$ 1,692 billion 2,300 billion
GDP per Capita (PPP) US$ 19,548 67,019
GDP (Nominal) US$ 367.98 billion 1,061 billion
HDI 70th 35th
Exports US$ 107.43 billion 286.5 billion
Imports US$ 54.46 billion 213 billion
Both countries now have better chances to concentrate more on investment, economic betterment of their people. Iran made significant advancement in science, technology and education and Saudi Arabia can benefit with it and Saudi Arabia can invest in Iran,
China also trying to broker a deal between Ukraine and Russia to pave the way for peace there. Negotiations are continued and Ukraine seemed tired of lame promises by US and running short of arms and ammunition and definitely war is not the solution therefore peace deal there is the need of time. If China succeeded in brokering a deal between Ukraine and Russia that would be a very big success.