The impact of the Belt and Road Initiative on China's political relations with Middle Eastern countries: a study based on fsQCA

This study examines 16 Middle Eastern countries as case studies, drawing upon liberalism and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) policy framework, and selects five antecedent variables. Employing fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA), the study investigates causal mechanisms through which the BRI influences China-Middle East political relations. The findings show that four strategic policy combinations, categorized into three primary pathways-dual-driven, economic-driven, and policy-driven-that each leverage distinct mechanisms to strengthen political relations. Moreover, economic measures related to trade relations and policy platform development under the BRI serve as key drivers of political relations, while infrastructure development plays a supplementary role.