Not on the same page

Context: ‘New Quad’ assumed to be aimed at China although its members Israel and UAE have good ties with China.

Challenges before ‘New Quad’

• Increasing Israel – China relationship: Israelis believe that ties with China are a huge strategic opportunity, even as they battle US pressure to curb technology ties.
  • Close strategic military ties since 1980s: In 1980 Israel used its prowess in military technology to get close to China but eventually US blocked the progress.
  • Chinese investment in Israeli companies and startups: 1,000 Israeli companies are operating in China with their focus on life sciences, software and IT, Internet, communications, semiconductors and clean technology.
  • Lease of port: Chinese have begun operations in port terminal in Haifa that has been leased to them.
• Strong UAE – China relationship: There is, of course, the economic relationship, but there is a significant political one as well.
  • Defending China in UN: UAE stance in UNHRC defending China’s treatment of Uighurs, as well as backing the Hong Kong national security law.
  • Technology relations: Installation of the Huawei 5G network in the country bucking the US pressure.
  • Political relation: UAE welcomes the Belt and Road Initiative and China sees the UAE as a hub on which it is developing its commercial ties to the region, as well as Europe and Africa.
• Antagonistic US-China stance: The promised review of China ties by the Biden administration has yet to be revealed, even as hostility to China is being driven by the deeply divided domestic politics.
  • Strategy of ‘extreme competition’: Though Care is taken so as not to slide into unintended conflict.
  • Diminishing US might: The ability of the US to compete rests on a large-scale overhaul of American system which is mired in deep political divisions, wage stagnation and a ‘red in tooth and claw’ approach towards the poor.
• China’s growing strength and aggressiveness: Possesses enormous destructive power and its behaviour crosses red lines. Eg. Aggression along Ladakh borders.
• India’s booming trade with China: Despite tensions over border with China, India’s trade with China grew to a spectacular 49% in first nine months of 2021.