by Dr. Mohamad ZREIK •Published on January 16, 2025

As part of their efforts to diversify away from an oil-based economy, Middle Eastern countries have increased their spending on space exploration and technology in recent years. When considering the international actors that are contributing to this trend, China comes out as a notable partner, having a major impact on the political, economic, and even cultural aspects of Middle Eastern space initiatives. This article seeks to delve into the multidimensional role of China in driving space goals in the Middle East. The article will first evaluate the feasibility of a ‘Space Silk Road,’ a metaphorical extension of China’s Belt and Road Initiative that would improve Middle Eastern countries’ access to space technology and infrastructure. This includes evaluating the financial viability of such partnerships, taking into account the diversification initiatives and China’s technical export objectives. Moreover, it will go into the social aspects, specifically looking at how China’s collaboration is seen in the context of ‘techno-nationalism’ in the Middle East, which has the potential to make Arab astronauts into heroes not just in their own region but around the world. Finally, the article will provide a comparative analysis of the development of Middle Eastern space programs versus those of Asia (with an emphasis on China) and Europe, providing insight into what makes the Middle East stand out in the international space community. The purpose of this research is to examine China’s involvement in the dynamic history of Middle Eastern space exploration via these lenses.

Background: The New Space Race in the Middle East

Traditionally dependent on oil and natural resources for economic stability, the Middle East has recently transformed into a growing nexus for advancements in space exploration and technology. Space technology is becoming increasingly important for scientific study, economic growth, national security, and geopolitical status; therefore, this shift is in line with broader global trends. International cooperation is a major asset in the Middle East’s quest for space capabilities. In contrast to the more unilateral endeavours that characterised early space exploration, today’s missions are increasingly multilateral in nature, reflecting the increasingly international character of science and technology.[1]

The scale, expense, and technological complexity of creating long-term space programmes highlight the importance of such multilateral coalitions. China has emerged as a major contributor to the Middle East’s space programme among the many international partners. As a result, it’s crucial to ask what role, if any, China plays in the overall framework of Middle Eastern space projects.

In order to answer the question “What is the multidimensional role of China in shaping the trajectory of space programmes in the Middle East?” this article will examine a number of factors. Among the goals is an analysis of the social impact through the lens of “techno-nationalism,” a look at the development of Middle Eastern space programmes in comparison to those in Asia and Europe. The goal is to provide a balanced view of China’s impact by analysing the country’s economic and social effects on the ever-changing field of Middle Eastern space travel.

In recent years, the Middle East has shifted its attention from oil wealth and geopolitical complications to space exploration and technology in an effort to diversify its economy and modernise its society.[2] Middle Eastern countries are well aware of the need to diversify their economies for long-term viability in the face of the global energy landscape’s transition towards renewables and the oil market’s increasing volatility. Putting money into space technology isn’t just a lofty scientific goal; it’s also related to a bigger picture goal of economic revolution.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, and Qatar have been at the forefront of this movement. For example, in 2020, the United Arab Emirates became the first Arab nation to launch an interplanetary expedition when it sent the “Hope Probe” to Mars.[3] Dubai’s goal of becoming a global hub for space tourism and technology by 2030 was part of a bigger strategy to reduce the country’s reliance on oil. Another major actor, Saudi Arabia, set up the Saudi Space Commission in 2018 to oversee both civilian and military space programmes. The Kingdom hopes to create a sizable portion of its GDP from space-related activities in the future decades, thus it is actively seeking foreign investment in this sector as part of its Vision 2030 programme.[4]

Qatar has also been increasing its space capabilities, largely through the use of satellites. The Qatar Satellite Company (Es’hailSat) has carved out a position in the lucrative global satellite market through the operation of satellites that provide telecommunication services.[5] This is another step in a bigger plan to broaden the Qatari economy’s base of support.

The Concept of ‘Space Silk Road’

China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) aims to improve transportation and commerce via land and sea routes, and the idea of a “Space Silk Road” is a natural extension of this initiative. By connecting member countries through a network of trains, highways, and marine links, the BRI has been crucial in increasing China’s worldwide presence. Similarly, the Space Silk Road seeks to expand this network into space by encouraging international cooperation on exploration, satellite construction, and other cutting-edge technological endeavours.[6]

One goal of the Space Silk Road is to help China become even more of a global aerospace powerhouse, and another is to help its partner countries develop or improve their own space programmes. China plans to provide a range of services through the Space Silk Road, including as satellite launches, space station partnerships, technology transfers, and joint R&D efforts.[7] While bolstering China’s technological and economic power is an overarching goal, this effort also seeks to form strategic relationships that will be mutually beneficial for all parties involved.

Space technology presents a significant opportunity for China to work economically with Middle Eastern countries. Space technology is an attractive choice for Middle Eastern countries because of the pressing need to diversify economies away from oil and invest in cutting-edge sectors. These nations have the means to finance pricey space endeavours, but they might be lacking in the necessary technological know-how and infrastructure to build such programmes on their own. Here is where China’s space expertise and experience could prove invaluable.

Collaboration with China might hasten the maturation of homegrown satellite technologies, which would benefit several facets of the economy including telecommunications and meteorology. Additionally, collaborative innovation has the potential to spur the expansion of related sectors such aeronautical engineering, data analytics, and software development in addition to the creation of high-skilled jobs and the transfer of relevant knowledge. Middle Eastern space companies would also benefit economically from simpler entry into China’s massive consumer market.

China’s developed space capabilities and the Middle East’s ambitions and financial might make the Space Silk Road a promising framework for business partnerships that benefit both regions. China’s plan to increase its global cooperation through the BRI and the Middle Eastern countries’ plans to modernise and diversify their economies find common ground in this type of cooperative arrangement.

Economic Feasibility of Space Silk Road

Multiple factors, including upfront costs and expected profits, contribute to the question of whether or not the ‘Space Silk Road’ concept is economically viable. At the heart of this economic calculation is the fact that China and Middle Eastern governments have similar economic objectives, with each having much to gain from working together on space technology.

China sees opportunities to increase its global aerospace market share and increase its technology exports through cooperation with Middle Eastern states.[8] The technical expertise, experience, and infrastructure are all in place in China to support lofty space endeavours. China can benefit from deals with Middle Eastern countries since it will be able to export space-related technologies and also receive funds for future R&D projects.

The investment in a cooperation with China, on the other hand, might speed up Middle Eastern governments’ attempts to diversify their economies and reduce their reliance on oil earnings. It takes a lot of money to get a space project off the ground, but the payoff may be huge. Commercialising satellite technology for use in communications, weather monitoring, and national security might have a number of positive effects, including the creation of high-skilled jobs in a fast-growing sector of the economy. Many Middle Eastern countries have the financial means to fund large-scale projects; thus, China is typically enlisted to supply the necessary technical skills.

Risk management is a crucial part of any financially stable business. Sharing the financial burden of costly space endeavours is made possible through the Space Silk Road’s cooperative nature. China and the Middle Eastern partners can reduce the risks associated with their respective investments by working together to share resources and knowledge.

Techno-nationalism in the Middle East

The term “techno-nationalism” describes a political ideology that links national pride and power to scientific and technical progress.[9] As a means of asserting national prestige, modernising the state, and diversifying economies, this is reflected in the Middle Eastern region by a desire to invest in cutting-edge technologies like space exploration. The role China has played in supporting these ambitions, especially in the field of space technology, can be seen in the context of techno-nationalism prevalent in the Middle East.

Middle Eastern countries can boost national pride and geopolitical stature with the help of China’s participation by gaining access to the technology and infrastructure needed to realise their space goals. When a country launches a satellite or sends an astronaut into space, it becomes a symbol of modernity and strength on a global scale. This can be a very useful instrument in domestic and international politics for Middle Eastern rulers. At home, it can serve as a rallying cry for disparate groups to come together in the name of patriotism. As such, it sends a message of technological prowess and national strength to the rest of the world.

However, it is critical to recognise that techno-nationalism is not just a government-imposed objective but often enjoys strong public support. There is enormous symbolic value in the idea of ‘coming up’ to more technologically sophisticated countries. Since China’s involvement is likely to be seen as a stimulus for technical growth, helping Middle Eastern states advance towards their techno-nationalist goals more quickly than they would on their own, this may be the case.

Comparative Analysis: Middle East vs Asia & Europe in Space Exploration

The field of space exploration features a wide variety of players, with regional differences in participation and success. When looking at space programmes in the Middle East, Asia, and Europe side by side, we can see that each region faces its own unique set of difficulties and opportunities.

The space programmes of Asia, especially China’s, are notable for their lofty goals and swift progress. China has emerged as a major player in space exploration with their successful lunar missions, proposed Mars rover, and talks of future manned trips. The government has allocated significant funds towards space exploration, and the country’s technological infrastructure is solid. In contrast, Middle Eastern nations’ space programmes are in their infancy, yet they show great promise. The United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia are only two examples of countries that have launched satellites and begun space exploration missions. With its Mars Mission “Hope Probe,” the United Arab Emirates became the first Arab nation to reach Mars.

The European Space Agency (ESA) provides another example of a model with its space programmes, which are known for their emphasis on teamwork. Europe has shown it can do both scientific investigation and practical application of space technology with projects like the Rosetta comet expedition and the Galileo navigation system.[10] European initiatives frequently require cooperation across multiple states, which can be both an advantage and a disadvantage due to the difficulty of balancing competing national interests.

Cooperation with more advanced space-faring nations, such as China and members of the ESA, allows Middle Eastern countries to skip over technological hurdles. Middle Eastern countries can accelerate their space programmes by forming strategic agreements with other countries that have more advanced technologies.

[1] Qijia Zhou, “A Shared Frontier? Collaboration and Competition in the Space Domain”, Harvard International Review, 15 June 2022, https://hir.harvard.edu/a-shared-frontier-collaboration-and-competition-in-the-space-domain/

[2] Bayly Winder, “Space sector developments across the GCC”, Middle East Institute, 20 April 2023, https://www.mei.edu/publications/space-sector-developments-across-gcc

[3] Zulfikar Abbany, “The facts on Hope: The UAE’s Mars mission ‘Al-Amal’”, DW, 02 September 2021, https://www.dw.com/en/the-facts-on-hope-the-uaes-mars-mission-al-amal/a-54067401

[4] Saeed al-Abyad, “Saudi Arabia Expands its Economic Capabilities to Space”, Asharq Al-Awsat, 19 February, 2023, https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/4167536/saudi-arabia-expands-its-economic-capabilities-space

[5] Arya M Nair, “Qatar’s Es’hailSat & AXESS Network to provide Teleport, VSAT services in MENA”, GCC Business News, 10 January 2023, https://www.gccbusinessnews.com/qatars-eshailsat-axess-network-to-provide-teleport-vsat-services-in-mena/

[6] John Dotson, “The Beidou Satellite Network and the “Space Silk Road” in Eurasia”, The Jamestown Foundation, 15 July 2020, https://jamestown.org/program/the-beidou-satellite-network-and-the-space-silk-road-in-eurasia/

[7] Gabriel Dominguez, “Chinese milestone sets stage for new space race with U.S.”, The Japan Times, 30 November 2022, https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2022/11/30/asia-pacific/china-space-us-military-pla/

[8] Ling Xin, “China and UAE team up to build Abu Dhabi space tech centre”, South China Morning Post, 16 March 2023, https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3213783/china-and-uae-team-build-abu-dhabi-space-tech-centre

[9] Kate Lamb, “The rise of techno-nationalism – and the paradox at its core”, World Economic Forum, 03 July 2019, https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/07/the-rise-of-techno-nationalism-and-the-paradox-at-its-core/

[10] Tim Hepher, “Europe’s space agency welcomes UK deal with EU on satellites”, Reuters, 08 September 2023, https://www.reuters.com/technology/space/europes-space-agency-welcomes-uk-deal-with-eu-satellites-2023-09-08/

Disclaimer. The views and opinions expressed in this analysis are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of MEPEI. Any content provided by our author is of his opinion and is not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone or anything.

Dr. Mohamad ZREIK

Dr. Mohamad ZREIK is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Institute of International and Regional Studies, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China.