China and the Middle East Interactions

Due to its economic and military influence, China has imposed itself as a pivotal player and one of the influential actors in shaping and moving the compass of the international community. This influence included the Middle East region, which occupies a significant position on the list of Chinese priorities. This was not limited to economic aspects, due to the region’s wealth of energy resources, but rather extended to political, cultural and social dimensions. This sudden shift in China’s foreign orientations was naturally based on the geopolitical developments witnessed by the global map, which repositioned many international powers. The rise of China at the end of the twentieth century represented the most important strategic developments in international relations, and the beginning of the twenty-first century witnessed the growth of Chinese ambitions to play effective regional roles and crown it with a prominent and influential role on the global stage. The Chinese role is based on material components of power such as geographical, natural, economic and military variables, which gave China great strategic depth and major military power in Asia.