China’s economic diplomacy in the Persian Gulf

a study on Sino-Iranian bilateral relations under Xi Jinping’s ruling

Abstract

Due to the strategic geographic location of the Persian Gulf and the magnitude of its reserves of energy resources, China has approached the region by using economic diplomacy, driven by interests, and benefited by its bargaining power as well as its vast capacity of economic cooperation and investment. China, a superpower, has found on Iran, a regional power, an important partner, and key to align its strategies in the Persian Gulf under the Belt and Road Initiative in addition to achieve its energy security goals. This paper aims to comprehend the strategic actions of China’s economic diplomacy under Xi Jinping’s government in the Persian Gulf region, stablishing bilateral relations with Iran. The scientific research methodology chosen is the qualitative assessment on theoretical and documental basis. This research concludes that China’s approach on Iran is the result of a more confident and self-assured country, which has evaluated the risks as well as the benefits in the long term and has found it safe to include Iran on its global agenda, seeking its geoeconomic interests. In the light of the present scenario, the Sino-Iranian approach could work as opening the way to China’s influence on Iran beyond economic matters, expand its presence in the Persian Gulf, and furthermore, promote its power of persuasion in international relations.