Sino-Saudi Relations

Abstract

This study delves into the buoyant relations between a rising great power (People’s Republic of China) and a prominent regional state (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia). From a classical realist perspective, the thesis first explores the drivers and triggers behind these evolving ties throughout the last decade. Secondly, it investigates the possibility of China’s inclusion within the "oil for security" bargaining paradigm in the Gulf. The thesis argues that the Sino-Saudi ideological rupture at the peak of the Cold War has been transformed into a realist interests-based partnership. This partnership was initially built on the energy pillar. It then evolved to encompass broader economic relations, in tandem with the rising synergies between China’s Belt and Road initiative and the "Saudi Vision 2030". The thesis further argues that Beijing can jostle Washington regarding the practice of diplomatic and security roles in some of the regional hot spots, but without necessarily aiming – at least in the short term – to replace the U.S key role within the Gulf’s security architecture. More broadly, the thesis lends credence to the nascent argument that the global balance of power, will eventually become a struggle between two or three superpowers; namely the U.S, China and possibly India afterwards. While neither power has absolute dominance, the three giants are acquiring considerable resources for the upcoming quarrels. It is within this context that the Gulf region, with Saudi Arabia at its core, becomes a crucial politico-economic theatre in this seemingly long transition process.