China's diplomatic statecraft: analysing China's comprehensive strategic partnerships in the Middle East

Abstract

The recent shifts in polarity amidst US-China rivalry are observed internationally. This systemic change is prominently perceived in the Middle East, where states experience increasing security concerns following US withdrawal and conflicts in Gaza, Syria, and Yemen. In this context, traditional balancing strategies carry high risks for the secondary powers. In turn, states seek diversification of security strategies through hedging. In this light, China’s Comprehensive Strategic Partnerships (CSPs) seems to be an attractive policy option, providing valuable economic, political, and diplomatic resources without exclusive security-based commitments. Despite the benefits, effectiveness of CSPs in reaching a state’s strategic goals and shaping bilateral relations are still unclear. To solve this puzzle, this article utilises the “interest-threat nexus” model to define bilateral relationships. The model is analysed within “hedging” and “balance of power” theory, and applied to the case study of China’s CSPs with Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.