China as a New Gulf Mediator?
NEAR EAST POLICY FORUM
China’s relationship to the Gulf could be changing. Previously, it avoided conflict and risk, which helped it establish good diplomatic relations and expand its commercial ties in the region. That approach may become harder given the high importance of Saudi Arabia and Iran to Chinese investments and the two countries’ own rivalry and competitive struggles around the Middle East. In addition, China has to deal with the United States pressuring its allies and partners not to work with Beijing.
Perhaps recognizing the changing climate, China’s foreign minister, Wang Yi, launched a Five-Point Plan to manage conflict in the Middle East at the end of March, stressing the need for mutual respect, equity and justice, non-proliferation, collective security and development cooperation.
The plan is the latest example of China’s attribution of importance to the Gulf region. In 2016 China upgraded relations with both Saudi Arabia and Iran to the level of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) in 2016 – the highest form of diplomatic relationship it can bestow – followed by one with the UAE two years later. At the same time, the partnerships highlight China’s approach to the region: both by balancing between the Arab Gulf states and Iran and the emphasis on official, bilateral relations at the state level.
