China's Digital Silk Road in the Middle East

This webinar examines the evolving footprint of China’s Digital Silk Road in the Middle East. Drawing on recent research, the talk explores how Chinese technology firms, such as Huawei and Alibaba, have expanded their presence in the Middle East’s digital ecosystems through cloud infrastructure, AI applications, data-centre investments, and partnerships with local governments and firms. The lecture highlights how China’s digital expansion across Middle Eastern states, especially in the Gulf, has been shaped not only by commercial opportunities and local digital transformation agendas, but also by broader strategic considerations, including Beijing’s interest in securing long-term connectivity and anchoring its digital standards in the region. Join us to explore how China has built its digital footprint in the Middle East and why the Gulf has emerged as a key arena in the region’s digital transformation.