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Sino-Arab Free Trade Agreements, AI Diplomacy, and the Realisation of AI and Sustainability Goals in the Middle East

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 January 2025

Jon Truby Open the ORCID record for Jon Truby [Opens in a new window]
Jon Truby*
Affiliation:
Centre for International Law, National University of Singapore, Bukit Timah Campus, 259770, Singapore
*
Email: jtruby@nus.edu.sg
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Abstract

Sino-Arab Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) have remained elusive over two decades of increasing economic relations and trade negotiations. Nevertheless, substantial investments and trade demonstrate the Arab region’s strategic importance to China. Recent strategic drivers of China’s engagement with the Middle East have evolved from an original energy security focus, to more recently integrating technological investments into partnerships, such as artificial intelligence and renewable energy infrastructure—complicating progress towards an FTA. Such measures can help progress achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and offer economic development opportunities, but negotiations may be hindered by concerns ranging from technological dependency to trade competition. Examining opportunities and challenges in the developing China–Arab relations, the article explores legal and policy obstacles and opportunities towards securing an FTA. With a focus on recent developments in AI and sustainability partnerships, the article analyses legal strategies and international law best practices for a model FTA for Arab countries.

Keywords

Free Trade Agreements (FTAs)AI DiplomacyDigital Silk RoadMENABelt and Road Initiative (BRI)Sustainability
Type
Research Article
Information
Asian Journal of Law and Society , First View , pp. 1 - 25
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Asian Journal of Law and Society

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Footnotes

Dr Jon Truby, Ph.D is an Associate Research Professor in AI and Technology Law at the Centre for International Law, National University of Singapore.

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