Opinion | China’s ‘no strings attached’ approach to the Middle East may work better than US ethos of liberation

Beijing’s strategy may not banish political enmity and ethno-religious strife from the region, but it could bring socioeconomic relief to war-torn countries. And for those suffering hardship, that may be a lifesaver

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Published: 1:30am, 11 May 2022Updated: 2:44am, 11 May 2022

As the US pulls back, China is leaning in, drawing Middle East states into its “community with a shared future”. Beijing’s geoeconomic strategy will not promote liberal democracy in the region but it could restore socioeconomic stability in some of the conflict-ridden countries.

The Ukraine war has galvanised the West. But others, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Israel, are reluctant to join the US-led sanctions against Russia. For these traditional American allies, the seeds of hesitancy were sowed earlier. They saw in former US president Barack Obama’s avowed pivot to Asia and US President Joe Biden’s hasty withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan signs to redraw alliances, including closer alignment with China.

In January, foreign ministers from the Middle East, including from Iran and Turkey, visited China to discuss economic collaboration. Then, it was reported that Saudi Arabia had invited Chinese President Xi Jinping for a state visit in May, which would be the first overseas trip for the Chinese leader since the pandemic began.

But China is wading into a region fraught with risk. For example, in January, the UAE – where many Chinese companies operate – intercepted two ballistic missiles over the skies of Abu Dhabi fired by Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

Because it hedges its bets between sworn enemies and follows a “no-strings attached” investment policy, China is accused of unprincipled mercantilism. Beijing’s retort is its long-standing policy of non-interference, which suited autocrats in Gulf states who reciprocated with their silence on Xinjiang.

Actually, China’s policy of non-intervention has religious roots, namely, polytheism. The ancient Chinese believed in multiple pathways to the ultimate good. This pluralistic ethos underpins China’s conviction that every country should determine its own political destiny.