Is Israel China's gateway into Middle Eastern involvement?

ARTICLE: 'Israeli Miracle' is developing strong ties with Communist China, By Adi Schwartz, Haaretz, August 09, 2008

It will be interesting to see how this influences Beijing's take on Israel-v-Palestine, a subject where China's voice is largely missing.

I don't necessarily see a big strategic thought process on the part of Beijing here, but more just the okay for Chinese businesses to go after a good market. The question will be accretive: over time, how does this connectivity involve China more in the Middle East peace process?

(Thanks: Kenneth Nalaboff)

Comments

[Matthew Garcia]

Which is more important for China right now: getting involved with the most connected state in the region and yet the least to offer resource-wise (Israel), or connecting with the resource-rich states with less administrative overhead and bringing that connectivity to them (e.g. Iraq, Iran, Syria)? A simplistic view (my own) suggests that China can get more of what it wants and needs for its own economic and political growth by the latter, and more quickly, and then comes out smelling like a rose in the sand when it eventually takes credit for bringing postmodern connectivity to the Arab world.

[Lexington Green]

Israel is a giant in terms of human potential, skills, know-how -- which has far too few people to exploit that potential. Israel has to look abroad to "do volume" and "do size". Finding friends and customers who are on its side in the perpetual conflict with its Arab neighbors, or who simply have no dog in the fight, is a longstanding Israeli practice. The Israel / Turkey axis is part of this, as is the Israel / India axis -- both in military and nonmilitary matters. An Israel / China axis makes all kinds of sense. Once the Mullahs are gone, a restored Israel / Iran axis would make a ton of sense as well. Getting Israel wired into the world so that it does not need the USA to survive would be good for all parties.