The ties between the Middle East and China are built on trade routes and economic activity that have linked the two regions for centuries. The “silk road”–the ancient trade route between China and Europe that runs through Central Asia and the Middle East – has been resurrected by the Chinese government through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).“Belt and Road Portal.” n.d. Accessed April 9, 2019. https://eng.yidaiyilu.gov.cn/. The BRI combines both the land-based route of Silk Road Economic Belt and the sea-based Maritime Silk Road, linking China’s trade to the Middle East, Europe, and Africa. Some of the maritime routes are already in heavy use to transport more than half of China’s crude oil imports from the Middle East.Lin, Christina. 2017. “The Belt and Road and China’s Long-Term Visions in The Middle East.” Working Paper 47. Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs. https://www.aub.edu.lb/ifi/Documents/publications/working_papers/2018-2019/20190211_belt_and_road_china_me.pdf. The geo-strategic location of the Middle East, connecting the three major continents, Asia, Europe, and Africa makes the economic integration of the region vital to success of the BRI project and China’s international relations globally.