The first speaker, Dr Paul Anderson, the Prince Alwaleed Lecturer in the department of Middle Eastern Studies, will give a presentation on his research project, 'A New Silk Road? Mercantile Connections Across Asia'. The research focused on long-distance trading networks between China and Arabic-speaking countries, and uncovering the social dynamics, identities and forms of trust/mistrust involved in these networks.
The second speaker, Asma Ibrahim, a finalist reading Chinese, will shed light on Taiwan-Saudi relations, the topic of her undergraduate dissertation. Unknown to many, the two shared a unique and extensive diplomatic relationship over decades that had major implications in Sino-Middle Eastern relations up until very recently. The talk will touch on diplomatic issues and conflict, the role of crude oil and development aid between Taiwan and Saudi Arabia.
This event id organised by the Cambridge University Arab Society.