China is placing itself as a major economic and political player in most corners of the world today, and the Middle East is no different. Traditional balance of power is today being skewed by a rapidly advancing Chinese economy, with its military and diplomacy in tow while Western power in the region, led by the US, is waning as per an increasingly vocal section of analysts, academics and politicians alike.
In midst of these changes, there is a palpable effort by Middle East states to shore up their own defences. The Abraham Accords signed in 2020 ended an official embargo between Israel and a group of Arab states led by the UAE. Even Saudi Arabia is today more vocal about its improving relations with Israel, as the region’s relations with Iran get even more fractious. In midst of these changes, Beijing has found itself as a partner to all the sides around the region’s political and sectarian crevasses. But is this sustainable? Can China be an antithesis to the US? And if not, what is Beijing’s developing role in the Middle East for the near future?
