| This study’s main goal is to examine China’s ties with the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council(GCC)in the context of the Belt and Road Initiative(BRI).Central to this endeavor is the investigation of the underlying causes and motivations driving China’s engagement with GCC countries,the delineation of potential areas of collaboration,and the meticulous assessment of foreseeable obstacles.Given the strategic importance of the Gulf area and China’s growing global influence,knowing the nuances of these interactions is crucial to forming our knowledge of modern international dynamics.Through an examination of the factors influencing China’s strategic choices,the research aims to present a thorough understanding of the factors that have led to its participation in the Gulf.It seeks to identify the opportunities that arise from this collaboration,while also tackling the challenges that may emerge,such as geopolitical complexities and regional dynamics.The Gulf Cooperation Council’s strategic significance,characterized by its strategic location,abundant oil reserves,financial resources,infrastructure capabilities,and political stability,positions it as a crucial and valuable partner for China,playing a vital role in the successful implementation of the BRI.The BRI has emerged as a transformative force in enhancing relations between China and GCC countries,providing a robust platform for deepening economic and diplomatic ties and fostering a new era of cooperation.High-level exchanges and cooperation mechanisms,along with economic and trade collaboration,have solidified the interdependence between China and GCC nations.This symbiotic relationship not only propels economic growth but also reinforces political and diplomatic ties,positioning the BRI as a catalyst for a comprehensive and mutually beneficial partnership between China and GCC states.Trade volume between China and the GCC amplified from $92.4 billion in 2010 to $165.2 billion in2013,eventually reaching $232.1 billion in 2021,which is a 40.5% growth compared to 2013.A complex web of motivations and rationales shared between China and the GCC countries leading to deepening their relations.These motivations,spanning economic,political,and strategic dimensions,underscore a mutual interest in fostering and strengthening their ties.Neoclassical realism,as a theoretical framework,facilitates a comprehensive examination of how systemic pressures and unit level domestic considerations intertwine to shape the trajectory of their relationship.The systemic level of analysis considers the broader international context within which China-GCC relations unfold.Economic interdependence,geopolitical shifts,and global power dynamics play a central role in influencing the motivations of both actors.Both China and the GCC countries acknowledge the strategic imperative of navigating these changes to safeguard their interests in a swiftly evolving international landscape.China seeks to strengthen its presence in the Gulf region through strategic investments and partnerships,aiming to secure energy resources,enhance geopolitical positioning,and promote regional stability and development.Concurrently,GCC states recognize the necessity of diversifying their economic and strategic partnerships beyond traditional allies,aiming to benefit from China’s global significance,economic prowess,and technological advancements.Meanwhile,at the unit level,the study investigates the unique perspectives,policies,and strategic calculations of China and the individual GCC states,recognizing the agency and autonomy of each actor in shaping the course of their engagement.Elite perceptions play a crucial role in enhancing the connections between China and the GCC nations.Chinese leaders recognize the geopolitical significance of the Gulf region and view it as a key component of the BRI,promoting economic development and connectivity.Simultaneously,GCC leaders perceive China as a reliable partner,capable of providing economic investments and technological expertise for their diverse development goals.This unit-level framework examines how elite perceptions within each entity respond to systemic and domestic pressures,shaping decision-making processes that strengthen their connections.So the motivations for a strong ChinaGCC countries relations are multifaceted,encompassing strategic,economic,and geopolitical considerations at both systemic and unit levels.The US’s Asia-Pacific strategy makes GCC countries to pivot their attention towards the East.This strategic reorientation harmonizes effectively with China’s westward expansion under the BRI,paving the way for both parties to bolster their collaboration in favorable conditions.The GCC countries stand out as pivotal contributors to a prosperous BRI implementation,leveraging their strategic geographic location and distinctive attributes.On the other side,the BRI encounters a multitude of challenges in the Gulf region.Ongoing regional tensions and proxy conflicts,notably those between Iran and Saudi Arabia,act as destabilizing factors,creating impediments for the smooth progress of the BRI in the area.Additionally,the influential role of the US in containing the BRI is evident,as it adopts a multifaceted strategy that includes efforts to distort the initiative,dissuade allies,and implement economic measures such as trade wars and restrictions on technology access.The United States’ containment strategy extends to bolstering global financial institutions and promoting alternative initiatives such as the "Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment" and the recently unveiled India-Middle East and Europe Economic Corridor(IMEC),initiated by India and backed by the USA.The U.S.seeks active participation from the rich GCC countries to divert attention away from the BRI,bolster alliances,and achieve broader political objectives in the Middle East,including the integration of Israel and heightened pressure on Iran.Furthermore,the economic strife and political fractures within the GCC itself and the economic risks and funding challenges offer a closer look at the intricate complexities facing the BRI in the gulf region.In the other hand,China’s diplomatic endeavors in the Gulf region have demonstrated a notable success in mitigating conflicts and building a comprehensive strategic partnership(CSP)with rival nations such as KSA and Iran.Employing a diplomatic balancing act grounded in its foreign policy principles,China has adeptly navigated historical rivalries in the region.The BRI plays a pivotal role in this success,serving as a pathway to regional integration and contributing significantly to peace and stability.Through infrastructure development,economic connectivity,and cultural exchanges facilitated by the BRI,China contributes significantly to the stability of the Gulf region.The initiative not only addresses economic and developmental needs but also fosters diplomatic and political cooperation,acting as a catalyst for positive change and cooperation in a historically complex geopolitical landscape.As a result,China emerges as a key player in mitigating conflicts and building a CSP in the Gulf,demonstrating the effectiveness of its diplomatic approach in navigating regional complexities.This dissertation is structured into seven chapters,commencing with Chapter1,which functions as the introductory chapter setting the stage for the comprehensive exploration of China-GCC relations under the BRI.The chapter strategically addresses several crucial components to lay the groundwork for the ensuing study.It commences by offering a research background,creating a comprehensive context for understanding China-GCC relations within the BRI framework.The formulation of research questions guides the investigation,and the presentation of the main argument conveys the central attention of the analysis.The chapter also highlights the significance of the study,underlining its relevance and contribution to the existing X body of knowledge.Furthermore,it articulates the objectives of the study,offering clear goals and directions for the ensuing research.The chapter also undertakes a comprehensive literature review,systematically exploring and synthesizing existing literature on China-GCC relations and the BRI.The methodology section outlines the research design and approach,providing transparency into the employed methods.Simultaneously,the theoretical framework introduces a conceptual lens through which the analysis is conducted.Chapter 2 traces the historical trajectory of the diplomatic connections between China and GCC states.The chapter unfolds through various key periods,offering a nuanced understanding of the evolving relationship.The narrative begins with the early connections forged by the PRC in the Gulf region from 1949 to 1970,marked notably by China’s participation in the Bandung Conference.Subsequently,the chapter delves into the formation of diplomatic relations and the pragmatic foreign policy adopted towards the region from 1971 to 1989.The evolving dynamics are further explored during the 1990 s,with a specific focus on China’s growing interest in the Gulf Region,exemplified by its response to the Kuwait crisis and the initiation of energy cooperation.The narrative extends into the first decade of the 21 st century,unraveling the complexities and developments in China-GCC relations during this period.Lastly,the chapter scrutinizes the post-Arab uprising era,shedding light on the dynamics that shaped GCC-China relations in the aftermath of significant regional transformations.This historical examination sets the stage for a comprehensive analysis of the factors influencing the contemporary state of China-GCC relations under the BRI.In Chapter 3,China and the GCC’s complex collaboration within the context of the BRI is thoroughly examined.The chapter commences with an introduction to the BRI,elucidating its origins,objectives,and overarching principles.It then emphasizes the strategic significance of the GCC to the BRI,highlighting the pivotal role the region plays in China’s global economic strategy.The narrative unfolds to discuss the expanding cooperation under the BRI,examining various dimensions of the relationship.High-level exchanges and cooperation mechanisms are scrutinized to understand the diplomatic channels through which China and the GCC engage.The chapter extensively explores economic and trade cooperation,closely examining trade exchanges and energy collaboration,which are fundamental elements of the bilateral partnership.Further,it explores the intricate landscape of investment and construction,with a focus on Chinese special economic zones in the GCC,including specific projects like the China-Oman Industrial Park in Duqm,the China-UAE Industrial Capacity Cooperation Demonstration Zone(CUICCDZ),and the China-Saudi Arabia(Jizan)Industrial Park.The exploration extends to technological collaboration through the Digital Silk Road,financial connectivity initiatives,and people-to-people exchanges,providing a comprehensive view of the diverse facets that characterize China-GCC cooperation within the realm of the BRI.This chapter serves as a critical foundation for understanding the depth and breadth of their collaborative endeavors.Chapter 4 delves into the motivations and rationale driving china and GCC states to strengthen their relations.The chapter begins by dissecting the PRC’s motivations,identifying systematic factors that underscore China’s interest in building robust ties with GCC states.After that,a unit-level intervening variable approach is introduced,and elite perceptions of domestic and systemic drivers that support China’s involvement with the GCC are examined.On the other side,the motivations of GCC states to bolster relations with China are examined.Neoclassical realism is introduced as a theoretical lens through which the dynamics of GCC engagement with China are analyzed.Systemically,China’s rise as a global economic power and the GCC’s strategic importance in global energy markets form the backdrop for their interactions.The BRI serves as a manifestation of China’s expanding influence,while the GCC views collaboration with China as a strategic diversification of alliances,influenced by regional dynamics and external influences.On the domestic front,China’s economic goals,political considerations,and leadership preferences,as well as the GCC’s political stability,economic policies,and security concerns,shape their engagement.Moreover,analyzing internal state dynamics reveals that GCC monarchies prioritize stability through economic diversification,facilitated by Chinese investments,while China seeks a stable energy supply.Leadership perceptions and strategic visions,particularly those of Xi Jinping and key GCC leaders,significantly influence BRI policies.Systemic pressures and internal domestic factors are explored,unraveling the elite perception of systematic pressures and the nuanced understanding of domestic pressures among GCC elites.This chapter provides a nuanced exploration of the mutual interests and motivations driving the economic cooperation between the GCC countries and China,offering valuable insights into the intricacies of their strategic partnership.Chapter 5 intricately explores the multifaceted landscape of the BRI in the Gulf XII region.It provides an analysis of the opportunities and obstacles shaping the BRI landscape in the Gulf.It offers valuable insights for policymakers and scholars,contributing to a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics at play in the region.The section on Opportunities for the BRI in the Gulf Region unfolds a narrative of transformative potential.It discusses how the BRI can reshape Gulf dynamics amid a shifting global order,emphasizing the unique capabilities of the GCC states in contributing to BRI construction.Strategic harmony emerges as a theme,underscoring the potential for bolstering political and economic relations in the region.Conversely,the chapter delves into the Challenges and Complexities confronting the BRI in the Gulf,emphasizing geopolitical issues,regional tensions,and proxy conflicts,notably between Iran and KSA.It also analyzes the U.S’s influence in containing the BRI,detailing a multifaceted strategy involving distortion,dissuasion,trade wars,and technological restrictions.The U.S.aims to redirect focus through alternative projects,seeking GCC involvement to reinforce alliances and achieve broader political goals in the Middle East.This chapter further scrutinizes economic strife and political fractures within the GCC,providing insights into the region’s complexities and the obstacles faced by the BRI in the Gulf.Chapter 6 unfolds a comprehensive exploration of China’s diplomatic endeavors and the pivotal role played by the BRI in fostering peace and stability in the Gulf.The chapter begins by thoroughly examining China’s diplomatic strategy in the Gulf,grounding the analysis in China’s principles of foreign policy and the dynamics of the Gulf region.A Diplomatic Balancing Act is unveiled,highlighting the strategic equilibrium that China navigates in its Gulf policy.The utilization of Economic Engagement as a Diplomatic Tool is explored,shedding light on how economic ties contribute to China’s diplomatic objectives.Strategic Challenges and Risks inherent in China’s Gulf Strategy are identified,providing a nuanced understanding of the complexities faced by China in the region.The chapter pivots to the central theme of the BRI,presenting it as a Pathway to Regional Integration.The BRI’s contribution to stability and peace in the Gulf is delineated across several dimensions.Infrastructure Development and Economic Connectivity take center stage,followed by an examination of Diplomatic and Political Implications.Cultural and Social Integration through the BRI is explored,elucidating the multifaceted impact on regional dynamics.The chapter culminates in an assessment of how the BRI serves as a mechanism for Countering Extremism and Enhancing Security,portraying the initiative as a catalyst for optimistic change in the Gulf region.Chapter 7,the concluding segment of this dissertation,serves as a culmination of the extensive exploration into China-GCC relations under the BRI.The chapter synthesizes the key findings and insights derived from the preceding chapters,giving a thorough summary of the research’s findings.The section commences with a recapitulation of the main arguments and highlights,reaffirming the central themes and contributions of the study.A nuanced reflection on the research questions underscores the depth of analysis undertaken to address the intricacies of China-GCC relations within the BRI framework.Furthermore,the chapter delves into offering constructive suggestions and recommendations for future directions in China-GCC collaboration.Strategies to mitigate risks,adapt to changing geopolitical dynamics,and enhance bilateral cooperation are proposed.These recommendations aim to provide pragmatic insights for policymakers,stakeholders,and scholars interested in the evolving dynamics of China-GCC relations.Additionally,the chapter reflects on the broader significance of the study in the context of international relations,regional stability,and economic cooperation.It discusses the potential implications of the research for practitioners,policymakers,and scholars in the field,emphasizing the relevance of understanding China-GCC relations within the broader geopolitical landscape. |
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