Chinese studies in Saudi, Chinese language growing in Qatar, ChatGPT vs. DeepSeek on Gaza, Chinese EV charging network launched in Israel
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Those of you who have been reading this newsletter for a while have seen this from me in different forms already, but it’s worth repeating: the Middle East has not been learning about China in a very structured or meaningful way. There are exceptions, but generally speaking, China knows the region much better than the region knows China. There is not a lot of area studies in Middle Eastern universities and as far as specialization gets developed, it’s usually focused on the region itself or the traditional centers of international power: the US, UK, and France. I’d say Israel and Iran are outliers, with small but strong China studies. In much of the Arab world, when local expertise is found, it’s usually because an individual had a China-specific interest or experience.
So it’s worth noting the steps that are being taken to address this. Both the UAE and Saudi have started Chinese language programs in their K12 public curriculum, which will eventually result in home-grown China watching talent. And the lead story today will also likely light a spark under some young Saudis who are looking for a competitive edge.
Saudi university launches Chinese courses - Arab News.
King Abdulaziz University has introduced a new four-week course, “Discover China and Learn Chinese Language Basics,” through its Institute of Chinese Science and Culture, in partnership with Safia, a Jeddah Valley subsidiary.
The program is being conducted at the Sheikh Saleh Kamel Hall within the Islamic Economics Institute.
Institute Dean Dr. Muhannad bin Ghazi Abed said that the course served a dual purpose — teaching basic Chinese language skills while providing cultural insights.
This initiative aligns with Saudi Vision 2030’s emphasis on human capital development.
Designed for beginners, the program aims to build a solid foundation for further Chinese language studies.
The Institute of Chinese Science and Culture at King Abdulaziz University was established to facilitate knowledge and technology transfer between Saudi Arabia and China.
It also plays a crucial role in fostering academic and cultural exchange between Saudi and Chinese research institutions, while leveraging China’s academic advances.
Mandarin Chinese is Finding its Place in Qatar - Modern Diplomacy. This piece by by Sara Hillman from Hamad Bin Khalifa University is more cautious than the headline would have us believe. I go to Doha semi-frequently and haven’t met any Qataris with advanced specialization in China studies, or people whose jobs have required them to become deeply focused