For decades, China has been a peripheral player in the Middle East and was rarely seen as a major political actor. However, over the past few years Beijing has been increasingly involved in diplomacy in the region, with Chinese President Xi Jinping emerging as an increasingly influential and important leader with an ambitious global agenda. This article will explore China’s new role in Mideast diplomacy, and the reasons behind Beijing’s newfound focus on the region.
China and the Middle East: Ancient Connections
The relationship between the Chinese and Middle Eastern peoples can be traced back to the time of the ancient Silk Road and the influence of Buddhism. During the era, the Chinese sent missions and traders to the region and enjoyed close, albeit unequal, economic and political ties. Recent bilateral relations still trace back to that era and it is believed there are over 1 million people of Chinese origin living in the Middle East.
It is only in the last decade that China has more actively sought to engage with countries in the Middle East on a political and economic level, but this increased presence has had undeniably positive outcomes for both parties.
China Strengthens Ties with Middle East
Since the turn of the century, there has been a rapid increase in Chinese diplomatic visits and engagements with countries in the Middle East. In 2006, President Xi Jinping was the first Chinese president to make an official state visit to the Middle East. He has visited Israel, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Palestine, and has hosted other regional leaders in Shanghai and in Beijing.
China is also deepening its economic and political links through the Belt & Road Initiative (BRI). Launched in 2013, the BRI seeks to create a massive network of trade, infrastructure and energy links between countries in Asia, Africa and Europe. Several countries in the Middle East have already signed memoranda of understanding to become involved in the initiative.
China and the Iran Nuclear Deal
China has also taken a leading role in mediating the nuclear deal between Iran and world powers, and Beijing’s unique position as both an economic partner of the Middle East and a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council has given it access to powerful diplomatic tools.
In 2015, China joined Britain, France, Russia, the United States and Germany in signing the Iranian nuclear agreement, and has become increasingly involved in the region since then.
Chinese Diplomacy in the Syrian Conflict
China has also become involved in the conflict in Syria, where Chinese diplomats have called for a political solution and called on all sides to avoid further bloodshed. This has been seen by many in the region as a positive diplomatic move, as it shows that China is willing to step up and take an active role in resolving conflicts.
In June 2018, China held a summit with the leaders of Iran, Russia and Turkey in an effort to help broker a peace deal and end the seven-year conflict. This was the first such summit to be led by China, and it sent a strong message to the international community that Beijing was a willing and active participant in resolving conflicts in the Middle East.
China as an Alternative Power in the Region
As the United States’ diplomatic and military presence in the Middle East weakens, there has been a desire to find an alternative power to fill the void. China is seen as the ideal candidate, as it is seen as a stable, neutral actor in the region.
Coupled with China’s growing economic influence through the Belt and Road Initiative, Beijing’s diplomatic efforts have seen it emerge as a major, if not the major power in the Middle East.
Challenges to China in its Mediation of Middle East Disputes
Despite its diplomatic successes, there are still challenges and roadblocks that China must overcome in order to become an effective mediator in the Middle East.
Firstly, China’s lack of a historical presence in the Middle East, compared to the U.S., the U.K. and France, means that it is seen as a more distant actor, lacking in deep understanding of the local cultures and relationships.
Secondly, its close economic ties with some states seen as antagonists to other countries in the region, such as Iran and Saudi Arabia, has led to some skepticism about its true intentions in the region.
It is clear that China has embraced a new role in Middle Eastern diplomacy, with President Xi Jinping taking the lead in engaging with the region and seeking to broker peace deals and economic partnerships. China’s position as a largely neutral actor and its rise in economic influence has seen it become an increasingly important figure in the Middle East. While there remain some challenges to overcome, there is no doubt that China’s increasing involvement is having a positive impact on regional stability.
