Secondly, China has not benefited from the U.S. military actions and presence in the Middle East. The period from 2002 to 2012 witnessed the rapid growth of China's crude imports from 1.4 million to 5.4 million barrels a day. But unfortunately, oil prices also grew rapidly during this period. Prior to 2003, the price of crude oil was below US$50 a barrel, but after that, it rose to more than US$100 a barrel.

China is a victim rather than beneficiary of rising oil prices. There are many reasons for the prices rise, but the primary reason is the instability of the Middle East as a result of the two wars. Increasing demands for oil in China and other emerging economies are often blamed for rises in oil prices, but as long as there is sufficient international capital for investment in oil sectors and sufficient reserve, the impact of rising demands should be limited.

China's oil trade with Iran has also been undermined by U.S. policy. Iran used to be a major source for China's oil imports. China once imported 600,000 barrels a day from Iran. But due to U.S. sanctions, imports from Iran fell to 400,000 barrels a day in 2012.

Similar criticisms also target China's business opportunities in Afghanistan and Iraq. But they are also not reasonable. Chinese companies did get the chances to develop oil and mineral resources in Iraq and Afghanistan. But it does not mean that Chinese companies cannot get such business opportunities if without the two wars. Actually Chinese companies did win the contract to develop two of Iraq's oil fields prior to the war. Not to say that China's economic activities did contribute financially to the two newly installed governments.

Thirdly, China has contributed a lot to the Middle East, outside the U.S. framework. China has set up a special economic zone with Egypt, to promote Egypt's economic development and increase employment. China has made frequent donations to areas in the Middle East affected by humanitarian crises. Although China's investments in the Middle East oil sector have been criticized, they have improved the economies of Sudan and other countries.

China has also contributed to resolving regional security issues. It has been consistently sending troops under the umbrella of UN peace keeping missions in Lebanon and Sudan. China has also sent a fleet to fight against piracy and safeguard the Arab sea.

Fourthly, U.S. unilateralism has restricted China's role in the Middle East. China and the U.S. have significantly different perceptions on Middle Eastern issues. China, since its engagement with the Middle East, has been rightly advocating for non intervention in the region. China believes that external intervention not only undermines the sovereignty of countries but also causes new problems, and that regional countries can manage their own affairs well.

The U.S. instead holds that external intervention is indispensable, and humanitarianism prevails over sovereignty. But evidence in the last decade does not support this, as the consequences of wars in the Middle East have shown.

China and the U.S. also differ in their approaches to multilateralism and unilateralism. The U.S. only takes a pragmatic approach towards the role of the UN. It goes to UN only when UN actions serve its interests. In other cases, it is ready to act unilaterally. Beijing argues that the United Nations should be the body that takes care of troubled areas in the Middle East. Unfortunately, facts indicate that in the last decade, unilateralism has prevailed over the multilateralism of the UN.

There are many reasons why China's role in the Middle East is insufficient. China has limited capabilities. Multilateralism in dealing with Middle East issues was restricted, and has been marginalized. China could have played a much bigger role if the UN approach was sufficiently respected. China has demonstrated willingness to become more involved in regional security issues under the UN framework.

It is untrue that the U.S. protects China's oil security, and that China has benefited from the U.S. military presence in the Middle East. China is willing to contribute more to the Middle East.

The author is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit: http://china.org.cn/opinion/jinliangxiang.htm

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