The China–GCC Partnership in Security, Energy, and Infrastructure

ABSTRACT: China’s growing global ambitions are increasingly shaping the Arab Gulf region, particularly the Gulf Cooperation Council member states (GCC): Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Given the geopolitical and strategic importance of the region to the global community and China’s growing role in the region, relations between China and the GCC are of paramount importance. This article sheds light on China’s role in the GCC region. Based on the three fields of (security) political cooperation, energy partnership, and economic cooperation as well as infrastructure projects, the motives and interests of the actors for cooperation are highlighted. Both sides are pursuing a hedging strategy. Given its energy demand, China is interested in regional stability and prioritizes this in its 1+2+3 framework. Political and military power is used to a minimum. As oil exporters, the GCC states depend on the Chinese energy market and are attempting to use it to drive their desired economic diversification and modernization. The great power rivalry gives the Gulf states greater flexibility to adapt their foreign policy when it comes to choosing pragmatic alliances to achieve.