China’s Geopolitics and Geo-Economics in the Middle East and the Gulf Countries to Achieve Sustainable Development and Common Interests

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to examine and analyse China’s growing interest and influence in the Middle East (ME) in general and the Arab countries in particular after Xi Jinping was elected President in 2013. In addition, this article highlights the interest of the Arab countries, including the Gulf countries, in establishing strong economic and trade relations with China because they are aware that Beijing will play a bigger role in global economic relations, thus limiting the dominance of the United States (U.S.) in the global economy. We argue that China has sought to deepen its cooperation with the ME under the Belt and Road (BRI) initiative framework and to increase Chinese investments and trade ties in the Gulf countries, mainly because these countries constitute a cornerstone of China’s energy security. For their part, the ME countries supported the BRI because it aimed to improve communication infrastructure between Asia, Africa and Europe. In addition, China’s policy of promoting multilateralism will contribute to building a global community with a shared future.