China’s mediation between Saudi and Iran reflect its growing role in the Middle East

Introduction

China’s growing role in the Middle East has become increasingly prominent in recent years. As the world’s second-largest economy and global power, China has been actively pursuing its economic, political, and strategic interests in the region. This shift in focus can be attributed to China’s quest for energy resources, its desire to expand its influence globally, and its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which aims to enhance connectivity and trade routes between China and the rest of the world. One of the primary motivations for China’s involvement in the Middle East is its need for energy resources to sustain its rapid economic growth. The region is rich in oil and natural gas reserves, making it a vital source of energy for China. To secure these resources, China has been engaged in various energy-related projects, including investments in oil fields, pipelines, and refineries. For instance, China has deepened its energy ties with countries such as Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates, among others.

Furthermore, China’s economic interests extend beyond energy. It has become a significant trading partner for many Middle Eastern countries. Chinese companies have invested heavily in sectors like infrastructure, telecommunications, construction, and manufacturing. The BRI, a massive infrastructure and development project spanning multiple continents, has further cemented China’s economic presence in the region. The BRI includes projects such as ports, railways, highways, and industrial zones, aimed at enhancing regional connectivity and facilitating trade between China and the Middle East.

The scope of China’s engagement in the Middle East

China’s engagement in the Middle East is not limited to economic aspects. It has also been actively involved in regional diplomacy and security matters. China has played a role in mediating conflicts and fostering dialogue among regional actors. For instance, it has been involved in diplomatic efforts to resolve the Syrian civil war and has supported the Iran nuclear deal. China’s engagement in these issues helps safeguard its interests and enhance its reputation as a responsible global player. Moreover, China’s involvement in the Middle East is also driven by strategic considerations. The region lies at the crossroads of several important geopolitical routes and is of immense geostrategic significance. By cultivating relationships with Middle Eastern countries, China aims to expand its influence and shape regional dynamics to its advantage. It seeks to ensure stability in the region to protect its economic investments and maintain access to vital sea routes such as the Strait of Hormuz and the Suez Canal. Moreover, China’s growing role in the Middle East has not been without challenges. The region is highly complex and fraught with historical, cultural, and religious sensitivities. China has had to navigate carefully to avoid getting embroiled in the region’s various conflicts and controversies. Its relationships with certain countries, such as Iran and Saudi Arabia, have posed diplomatic dilemmas due to their rivalry and competing interests. Additionally, China’s treatment of its Muslim minority population, particularly the Uighurs in Xinjiang, has raised concerns among some Middle Eastern countries, which have large Muslim populations.

Mediation in the Middle East

China’s recent entry into Middle East mediation emerged during the conflict between Iran and Saudi Arabia, a long-standing headache for Chinese leaders. Traditionally, this role was occupied by the United States. However, China recognized the opportunity to demonstrate its rising diplomatic influence and showcase an alternative narrative of global power dynamics. By appearing to facilitate negotiations between Iran and Saudi Arabia, China asserts itself as a powerful rising diplomatic presence, contributing to the perception of a shrinking US global influence.

Background of Iran and Saudi Arabia Relations

The strained relationship between Iran and Saudi Arabia dates back several decades and is rooted in a complex mix of religious, geopolitical, and sectarian factors. However, the events of 2016, specifically the seizure of Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran, exacerbated tensions between the two countries and led to a significant deterioration in their bilateral ties.

In January 2016, Saudi Arabia executed Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, a prominent Shiite cleric and vocal critic of the Saudi government. The execution sparked outrage among Shiite communities in Iran and other parts of the Muslim world. In response, Iranian protestors stormed the Saudi embassy in Tehran and the consulate in Mashhad, leading to the severing of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The incident not only strained bilateral ties but also exacerbated the existing sectarian tensions between the predominantly Sunni Saudi Arabia and Shiite-majority Iran. The two countries have long been engaged in a regional power struggle and have supported opposing sides in various conflicts across the Middle East, such as in Syria, Yemen, and Bahrain. The sectarian divide between Sunni and Shiite Islam further complicates their relationship, as both countries often perceive themselves as protectors of their respective sects.

Since 2021, there have been attempts to mend the break in relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia. Several factors have contributed to this shift. Firstly, there has been a change in leadership in both countries. Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has been more assertive in his foreign policy approach, has shown a willingness to engage with Iran. Similarly, Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi, who took office in August 2021, has signaled a desire to improve ties with neighboring countries, including Saudi Arabia. Secondly, regional dynamics have evolved, prompting a reassessment of priorities. Both countries have realized the need for stability in the region, especially in the face of shared challenges such as the rise of non-state actors like ISIS and the ongoing conflicts in Yemen and Syria. Furthermore, the United States’ changing stance on Iran, with the Biden administration expressing interest in rejoining the Iran nuclear deal, has created an incentive for regional rivals to explore diplomatic solutions.

Despite the initial positive steps, significant obstacles remain on the path to normalization. Deep-rooted mistrust, differences in ideology and regional ambitions, as well as competing interests, continue to hamper progress. Proxy conflicts in Yemen, where Iran supports the Houthi rebels, and in Syria, where Saudi Arabia supports rebel groups, present ongoing challenges. Additionally, the issue of sectarianism remains a divisive factor. The regional rivalry between Iran and Saudi Arabia has often exacerbated sectarian tensions, leading to violence and instability in countries with mixed Sunni-Shiite populations.

China’s Diplomatic Triumph: The Iranian-Saudi Agreement

China’s mediation efforts in the Middle East not only contribute to regional stability but also enhance its global prestige. By positioning itself as a powerful diplomatic player, China sends a subtle message that while the United States remains the preponderant military power in the region, China is rapidly rising as a diplomatic force. This narrative bolsters the perception of Chinese power and influence worldwide and adds to the evolving narrative of a diminishing US global presence.

In February 2023, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi visited China and met with President Xi Jinping. During the visit, Iran found Saudi Arabia’s proposal for a resumption of ties acceptable. In exchange, Iran demanded that Saudi Arabia cease funding Iran International, a Persian-language news channel critical of the Islamic Republic, withdraw completely from Yemen, and recognize the Ansarallah (Houthi) movement as a legitimate authority in the country. Tehran also urged Saudi Arabia to halt its support for Iranian opposition groups and ease pressure on its Shiite minority. These demands reflect the complex dynamics and longstanding grievances between the two countries. After years of patient efforts, China’s passive diplomatic approach finally bore fruit with a historic announcement on March 10, 2023, in Beijing. By successfully brokering a deal to restore relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia, China has signaled its intention to play a larger role in the Middle East and potentially challenge US dominance in the oil-rich region. The agreement reached in Beijing marked a breakthrough after seven years of severed diplomatic ties and tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia. Under the deal, both countries agreed to reopen their embassies and exchange ambassadors, resume direct flights, and restart security and trade agreements. China, emphasizing its non-selfish interests in the region, hailed this outcome as a major achievement resulting from concerted efforts by all three nations. This success represents a major triumph for Chinese diplomacy and underscores its growing role in shaping regional dynamics.

Economic and Political Ties

China has strategically cultivated strong economic and political ties with both Riyadh and Tehran in recent years. Saudi Arabia stands as China’s largest oil supplier, with bilateral trade amounting to $87 billion in 2021. Similarly, China plays a significant role in Iran’s foreign trade, accounting for as much as 30% of its total trade volume, valued at over $16 billion in the same year. Concomitantly President Xi Jinping sees Iran as a strategically important nation that shares China’s critical views of the West and possesses abundant natural resources, a battle-hardened military, and a rich civilization. With over 40 percent of its crude oil imports coming from the region, Beijing is keen on ensuring stability in the Gulf. Furthermore, the region serves as a vital component of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, offering trade routes and acting as a significant market for Chinese consumer goods and technology.

By facilitating the Saudi-Iran peace deal, Beijing not only solidifies its economic interests but also signals its willingness to engage politically in a region crucial for China’s energy imports.

China’s involvement in the Middle East is no longer confined to trade and investment. Beijing’s mediation success demonstrates a shift towards actively engaging in the region’s complex conflicts. In addition to economic ties, China’s growing influence in the Middle East stems from its multilateral approach and reluctance to criticize human rights records in the region. By positioning itself as a partner that shuns Western ideals and US interests, China has capitalized on events that have diminished Washington’s standing in the Middle East, such as the 2003 Iraq invasion and the great war on Terror. By emphasizing multilateralism, refraining from criticism of human rights records, and capitalizing on events that have diminished US influence, China is gradually reshaping the Middle East’s geopolitical landscape. As China’s involvement deepens, its growing appeal as a partner and its alternative narrative challenge the traditional dominance of Western powers in the region.

Conclusion 

China’s Global Security Initiative, introduced by President Xi Jinping, aims to provide Chinese solutions and wisdom to global security challenges. It champions commitments in various areas, including the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, adherence to the UN Charter, rejection of the Cold War mentality, peaceful resolution of disputes, and maintenance of security in traditional and non-traditional domains. The initiative emphasizes the rejection of unilateralism, double standards, and the use of unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction.

The Global Security Initiative carries implications for US-China relations, as it appears to delegitimize security cooperation with the United States. China’s emphasis on non-interference in internal affairs and respect for different development paths challenges the US approach of promoting liberal ideals and intervening in global security issues. By offering an alternative narrative and proposing Chinese solutions to security challenges, China aims to reshape the international order and reduce American influence. Beijing’s economic partnerships, diplomatic maneuvers, and willingness to avoid criticizing human rights abuses have positioned China as an attractive partner for nations in the Middle East. As China’s influence grows, the battle of narratives for the future of the international order intensifies, and the region becomes a crucial arena for reshaping global power dynamics.

References: 

 Cafiero, Giorgio. “How China Emerged as Peacemaker in the Saudi-Iran Deal.” The New Arab, March 15, 2023. https://www.newarab.com/analysis/how-china-emerged-peacemaker-saudi-iran-deal 

“How Beijing Helped Riyadh and Tehran Reach a Detente.” Crisis Group, March 17, 2023. https://www.crisisgroup.org/middle-east-north-africa-saudi-arabia-iran-china/how-beijing-helped-riyadh-and-tehran-reach-detente 

 Turak, Natasha. “The China-Brokered Saudi-Iran Deal Has Big Repercussions for the Middle East — and the U.S.” CNBC, March 15, 2023. https://www.cnbc.com/2023/03/15/does-chinas-role-in-saudi-iran-rapprochement-represent-a-new-order-.html 

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 “Iran-Saudi Deal: China’s Growing Clout in the Middle East.” DW.com. March 14, 2023. https://www.dw.com/en/iran-saudi-deal-chinas-growing-clout-in-the-middle-east/a-64983922.\

  Alterman, Jon B. “Why Did China Help Saudi Arabia and Iran Resume Diplomatic Ties?” CSIS, March 10 2023. https://www.csis.org/analysis/why-did-china-help-saudi-arabia-and-iran-resume-diplomatic-ties 

“China’s Growing Role in Middle East Diplomacy: Navigating Regional Tensions.” Australian Institute of International Affairs. May 5, 2023. https://www.internationalaffairs.org.au/australianoutlook/chinas-growing-role-in-middle-east-diplomacy-navigating-regional-tensions/