China’s Policy on the Middle East Peace Process after the Cold War

Abstract

This article focuses on China’s policy towards the peace process in the Middle East after the end of the Cold War and the American influence on Chinese policy. China has always charted its policy on the Arab-Israeli peace process to be ‘balanced diplomacy’, maintaining friendly relations with Arab countries, while not neglecting its relationship with Israel. Furthermore, China’s policy regarding the Israeli-Arab peace process contains contradictory elements in its dual relations with the ‘peace camp’ and the ‘radical camp’ in the Middle East. Chinese diplomacy finds itself in a complex dilemma, balancing the perils and prospects of its economic and strategic goals in the Middle East and the international arena. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China states that it shares the great burden of ensuring that the Middle Eastern peace process is managed correctly. However, its declaration is merely diplomatic rhetoric; Beijing does not actively endeavour to advance the peace process but is mainly interested in promoting its own economic interests and balancing the US hegemony in the region. Therefore, its approach is chiefly one of conflict management, rather than conflict resolution. Paradoxically, by trying to maintain good economic relations with everyone, it helps strengthen forces opposed to peace, such as Iran and Hamas.