China's Strategy in the Persian Gulf
Author: Ali Hassan Yousif Fattah
Publisher:
Published: 2024
Total Pages: 0
ISBN-13:
DOWNLOAD EBOOKThe Persian Gulf has become crucial in China's strategic perception, particularly in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). China's involvement in the Persian Gulf region has increased significantly. The Gulf region is a vital energy source for China's rapidly growing economy, including oil and natural gas. This study aimed to comprehensively understand China's policies and strategies toward the Persian Gulf region, especially in energy, trade, the BRI, and security imperatives. This study used secondary data for integrated analysis, covering qualitative and quantitative data. Secondary sources included academic electronic databases, the Internet, books, and official statistics or reports published by the governments of the Gulf countries and China. At the same time, the author also searched the databases of the World Trade Organization (WTO), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), and the International Energy Agency (IEA). The study results showed that in terms of energy dynamics, China's energy imports from the Persian Gulf region have continued to increase in the past few decades. The primary energy sources are Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Iraq. China's diversified energy portfolio contributes to its energy security. Regarding trade dynamics, economic ties between China and Persian Gulf countries have deepened. Chinese investments in infrastructure, technology, and manufacturing contribute to economic diversification in the Gulf region. The BRI has facilitated enhanced trade connectivity between China and the Persian Gulf. Increased investments in port infrastructure and logistical networks contribute to expanding bilateral trade. China has established bilateral agreements and strategic partnerships with the Gulf countries to secure stable energy supplies. Long-term contracts and investments in upstream projects reflect China's commitment to ensuring a reliable and diversified energy portfolio. China's increasing reliance on Persian Gulf energy has influenced global energy markets, making China a key player in shaping the dynamics of oil and gas markets and impacting producers and consumers. The study has concluded that the Persian Gulf region is vital in Chinese strategic perception. It has been identified as China's primary energy source, a critical market for Chinese products, and a target for Chinese investment. Additionally, the strategic location of the Gulf region has been shown to play a vital role in implementing the BRI.