The Centre for Public Policy and Governance (CPPG)

cordially invites

you

to

a seminar

on

“China’s Rise: How is it impacting the Gulf, Iran, Pakistan and Beyond?”

Speaker – Dr. Saeed Shafqat – Professor and Founding Director CPPG

On

Monday, October 17, 2016 at 4 pm

Venue: Rt. Rev. Alexander John Malik Public Policy seminar room E-002

Abstract

In the past three decades, China’s rise has evoked diverging interpretations of how its ascent as a global superpower is impacting or could impact relations with the Gulf, Iran and Pakistan. Issues of security and energy have become pivotal as China embarks on its ambitious ‘One Road, One Belt/ New Silk Web’ policy. China has opted to craft a proactive and robust cultural, economic and military policy towards the region. China is pursuing this within the framework of “neoliberalism” and in subtle ways re-shaping it. In this broad regional context, this talk will focus on how the Gulf States, Pakistan, Iran in particular and India in general, are adapting to China’s rise? Do they perceive China as an ‘imperialist power’ with ‘hegemonic designs’? Is it fear, rivalry, and conflict that China’s rise is evoking among these countries? Or is it the prospects of new economic, military and cultural ties that could enhance opportunities for peace, cooperation and development that are changing the geopolitical dynamics of Gulf, Iran, Pakistan and India? While exploring some of these questions and themes I will argue and illustrate how through ‘One Road, One Belt’, China is devising a “counter-containment strategy” and promoting regional connectivity.