Striking a balance between economics and security: China’s relations with the Gulf Monarchies
Document Type
Book Chapter
Source of Publication
External powers and the Arab Gulf Monarchies
Publication Date
2018
Abstract
This chapter investigates a brief historical overview of China's relations with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states in order to emphasize the increasing depth of engagement. It discusses China's strategic hedging approach to the Gulf region, which has allowed China to pursue denser ties to regional actors without a corresponding security commitment. The chapter also discusses two competing approaches to Gulf security emphasized in Chinese discourse: security through development and security through power projection. These competing visions are important in attempting to understand what type of regional security role China could reasonably be expected to play. Economic relations have been the driving force of China—GCC relations, with trade playing a central role, but finance and investment becoming increasingly important as well. The interdependence period begins with the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Saudi Arabia. Chinese leaders emphasize the pursuit of common interest in their partnerships, and the preference to avoid issues of potential conflict.
DOI Link
ISBN
9781138087590
Publisher
Routledge
Disciplines
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Recommended Citation
Fulton, Jonathan, "Striking a balance between economics and security: China’s relations with the Gulf Monarchies" (2018). All Works. 4554.
https://zuscholars.zu.ac.ae/works/4554
Indexed in Scopus
no
Open Access
no