From Trade to Strategic Partnership: China’s Evolving Engagement in the Gulf Region

Historically, China’s engagement with the Gulf region has centred on trade and energy cooperation. But in recent years, there has been a growing Chinese engagement in the regional geopolitics, security and defence matters. China’s involvement has also expanded into emerging fields such as innovation, science and technology, climate change, space exploration, and counter-terrorism. As China has become a key global player, its deepening partnerships with Gulf countries have strengthened mutual interests, particularly in economic collaboration, energy security and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Additionally, the Gulf nations see China as an important economic partner, while China’s non-interference policy aligns with their priorities. The paper examines how these converging interests, combined with China’s ambitions to enhance its role in the Arab world, have driven increased strategic, defence and geopolitical cooperation. This dynamic is reshaping the Gulf region’s economic and security landscape, with broader implications for global geopolitics and regional stability.