Rezensionen
Rezensionen
Niclas D. Weimar
Touching the “Pariah”
China’s Economic and Strategic Interests in the Caspian Crescent With Special Reference to Beijing’s Energy Policy Towards Post-Pahlavi Iran
Rezension
The author of the contribution under consideration focuses on China´s economic and strategic interests in the Caspian Crescent and the means by which the Peoples Republic of China seeks to enforce them. Most analysts, researches and Chinese officials rank the issue of the region´s hydrocarbon resources equal to or even below other issues of interest such as border issues, regional stability and terrorism. But the facts previously stated raise questions about the particular role of energy in the overall context of China´s interests in that region as well as the significance of Sino-Iranian relations for Beijing´s regional goals. These goals give particular consideration to the Chinese government´s blunt commitment to its ties with Pariah Indian despite pressure and criticism from the USA. Thereon, this study features three research objectives: (1) To outline China´s economic and strategic interests in the Caspian Crescent and demonstrate they are dominated by Beijing´s fundamental interest in oil and gas; (2) To demonstrate that Iran is China´s key partner in the whole region around the Caspian Sea for the accomplishment of its interests in hydrocarbons and regional preponderance.
