China’s Impact on Conflict Dynamics in the Red Sea Arena

Over the last decade, China has become more engaged internationally, including in conflict zones and fragile states of strategic interest to the United States. The U.S. Institute of Peace is convening a series of bipartisan Senior Study Groups (SSGs) to examine China’s influence on conflict dynamics around the world. This report, the third in the SSG series, examines China’s presence and impact in the Red Sea arena—with a focus on the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.

Join USIP and members of the SSG for an in-depth look at this report, featuring discussions on how China’s growing presence has brought infrastructure and economic opportunities to the region, while raising concerns about the sustainability, transparency, and long-term impacts of its engagement on countries in the Horn and the Gulf. The panel will discuss recommendations advanced in the report on how Washington should respond to Beijing’s growing economic, diplomatic, and military footprint in the Red Sea arena, and address possibilities for cooperation in confronting the COVID-19 pandemic in the region.

You will be able to participate in the live Q&A using the YouTube chat box function on the YouTube page. You can also take part in the conversation on Twitter with #ChinaRedSea. For more information, please visit our website

Speakers:

Jennifer Staats, introductory remarks

Director of East and Southeast Asia Programs, U.S. Institute of Peace

Johnnie Carson, introductory remarks

Senior Advisor, U.S. Institute of Peace

Payton Knopf

Advisor, Africa Program, U.S. Institute of Peace

Deborah Brautigam

Bernard L. Schwartz Professor of Political Economy and Director of the China Africa Research Initiative, Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies; Member, USIP China-Red Sea Senior Study Group

Patricia Kim

Senior Policy Analyst, China Program, U.S. Institute of Peace; Project Director, USIP China-Red Sea Senior Study Group

Maria Repnikova

Assistant Professor, Georgia State University; Member, USIP China-Red Sea Senior Study Group

David Shinn

Adjunct Professor, Elliott School of International Affairs, George Washington University; Member, USIP China-Red Sea Senior Study Group

Joel Wuthnow

Research Fellow, Center for the Study of Chinese Military Affairs, U.S. National Defense University; Member, USIP China-Red Sea Senior Study Group

Susan Thornton, moderator

Senior Fellow, Paul Tsai China Center, Yale Law School; Co-Chair, USIP China-Red Sea Senior Study Group

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The United States Institute of Peace is a national, nonpartisan, independent institute, founded by Congress and dedicated to the proposition that a world without violent conflict is possible, practical, and essential for U.S. and global security. In conflict zones abroad, the Institute works with local partners to prevent, mitigate, and resolve violent conflict. To reduce future crises and the need for costly interventions, USIP works with governments and civil societies to help their countries solve their own problems peacefully. The Institute provides expertise, training, analysis, and support to those who are working to build a more peaceful, inclusive world.