China’s Economic Diplomacy Towards the Gulf Cooperation Council States

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study examines China’s expanding economic diplomacy in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) monarchies, underscoring its activities, tools, and goals. By doing so, the study introduces a conceptual and analytical framework of Chinese economic diplomacy incorporated into the term ‘economic statecraft’ to explore how it conducts its relations with the GCC states to enhance its broad national interests, including political, strategic, and economic dimensions in the Persian Gulf. The study identifies three broad national interests that China seeks to enhance through economic diplomacy in the Persian Gulf: political, strategic, and economic. China aims to maintain access to energy resources, expand market access for trade and investment, undertake large-scale traditional infrastructure projects within the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) framework, and demonstrate its great power status. The study’s findings suggest that China’s economic diplomacy is crucial for achieving its regional economic objectives.