Senior officials have been touring the Gulf and Levant in what Arab diplomatic sources said appears to be a competition for influence and projects in oil-producing states amid higher fuel prices. China appears to have focused on the Levant while Japan's effort centers around the Gulf. The Japanese effort has been led by Foreign Minister Yohei Kono. The minister toured Gulf states last week and offered aid in development projects such as desalination plants.
Japan is largely dependent on Gulf oil.
From the Qatari capital, Kono continued to the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. In Riyad, Kono submitted a three-point plan to develop economic relations with the Saudi kingdom. The Japanese minister also proposed that Tokyo cooperate with the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council, which deals with regional defense. For its part, China has sought to improve relations with Egypt, Jordan and Syria. Over the weekend, Chinese Vice President Hu Jintao held talks with Jordan's King Abdullah in Amman.