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US feeling threatened by China's advances in Israel

Washington fears its interests in Middle East at risk as Beijing invests more in Israel

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang welcoming Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Beijing in 2017. The two countries are now growing closer and China has become the second most important trading partner for Israel after the US. PHOTO: EPA-EFE

Gil Yaron For The Straits Times In Tel Aviv

Updated

Published

Feb 27, 2019, 05:00 AM

Israel is in danger of being caught up in a new Cold War.

It may be the most important ally for the United States in the Middle East, but China's footprint is growing as Washington turns its back on the region. China has become one of the major importers of Saudi, Iranian and Iraqi oil. Trade between Beijing and the Arab states rose to US$200 billion (S$270 billion) in 2017. China is deepening its ties with Iran, with trade between them hitting US$37 billion in 2017, up 19 per cent over the previous year.

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