A dragon dance in the Negev

[bemildred]

There is no record of dragons in the nomadic life of the Negev desert, which dates back at least 4, 000 years (some say 7,000). That may be about to change in the Year of the Dragon.

The Bedouins of the Negev will soon witness the sight of a Chinese-built railway line snaking its way through the melange of brown, rocky, dusty mountains and the wadis and deep craters, leading north from the resort city of Eilat in the Gulf of Aqaba toward the eastern Mediterranean.

---

Speaking at the function in Tel Aviv, Netanyahu pointedly invited Beijing to work with Israel to "address the challenges of securing Middle East peace". And China's ambassador to Israel Gao Yanping, who was present, responded:

The further development of China-Israel relations is not only beneficial to both countries and the two peoples, but are also very much conducive to regional stability, world peace and global prosperity.

Facing the ongoing transformation and adjustment in the region [read Arab Spring] and in the world, China-Israel relationship is now at a new historical point. We should continue to work together, grow together and succeed together in the years to come.

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China/NB02Ad01.html

[ellisonz]

1. Interesting.

I think Israel is trying to diplomatically build a consensus position among the great powers except for Russia.

[bemildred]

2. I thought so. Something like that.

It's good to have options in any case, much too dependent on Uncle Sugar, and China having an interest in your well-being can't be bad. I wouid definitely be looking for friends outside of Yurpean orbits, and Israel has a history of doing that successfully.

Potentially circumvents the Suez too, and rail is cheap, potential source of revenue.

[azurnoir]

3. Interesting especially seeing that China and Iran have rather good relations

China intensifies criticism of sanctions on Iran

A top Chinese newspaper stepped up Beijing's opposition to a Western push for tighter sanctions against Iran, warning on Friday that tensions over Tehran's nuclear program are hurting energy markets and could stifle the global economic recovery.

It comes a day after German Chancellor Angela Merkel urged Beijing to use its influence to persuade Iran to give up its nuclear weapons program.

"The global economy is in the midst of a difficult economic recovery and reducing the shocks of uncertainties is the common responsibility of countries all over the world," the People's Daily commentary said.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/02/03/us-china-iran-sanctions-idUSTRE81202920120203

[bemildred]

4. Good point.

One of the more important reasons why bombing Iran is boneheaded.