Strategic Hedging and Multi-Alignment China’s Balancing of Iran and Arab Gulf States in a Changing Regional Order
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55737/trt/v-iv.236Keywords:
China, Gulf, Strategic Hedging, Multi-alignment, Iran, GCC, Saudi-Iran Rapprochement, Belt and Road Initiative, Middle East PolicyAbstract
China's increased Gulf involvement is a departure from its traditionally transactional energy diplomacy to one of multi-alignment. This paper explores the balance Beijing has to strike between Iran and the Arab Gulf states in the competition and sanctions-riven region without falling into explicit bloc politics, or competing with the expectation of achieving energy independence. The paper proposes that China's approach to the Gulf is characterized as a strategic hedging approach, encompassing economic pragmatism, political selectivity and diplomatic neutrality. China has established parallel ties with Iran, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and other Gulf countries with trade, infrastructure investments, the Belt and Road Initiative, and energy cooperation. The Saudi-Iran rapprochement in 2023 was a testament to Beijing's newfound diplomatic ethos and its stance on stability over ideological alignment. The ability of China, however, to maintain balanced relations could be impeded by regional polarization, maritime insecurity, and an emerging competition with the U.S. The study satisfies a need to discuss non-Western diplomacy, regional order, and China's new Middle East policy.
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