I think you are overestimating the impact of Israel on China. China can afford to cut ties with Israel, but Israel can't afford to cut ties with China. A few R&D projects aren't worth a whole lot in terms of geopolitics.
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and Global South strategic cooperation
- Thread starter Strangelove
- Start date
Good summary.
West asia, I'm gonna try stop calling the region middle east from now, always been powder keg. Everyone know this. The major difference between China and uppity western powers is China does not interfere in domestic affairs, they understand everyone is different, culturally historically etc. They emphasize this in all diplomatic outreach. They do not get on their high horse and accuse others of human rights issues and sanction countries thry do not like to kingdom come. Because let's be honest KSA are not perfect, they sponsor terrorism elsewhere, execute dissidents and backed a devastating war in Yemen.
Global south countries appreciate this no interference policy IMO, that's why we see increase in popularity of China within this community while the west harps on surge in anti China sentiment in "international community" which is basically just made up of US and her cronies/client states. China can be friendly to KSA, Iran, Israel which tbh is very rare for a big power because they make it clear we are here to conduct business in mutually beneficial way. This is the peaceful pragmatic way that can stabilize west asia, not the imperialist c western ways.
Tbh, if it was me, I rather China step up relations with Iran to fight US hegemony, just do business with KSA until a cheap oil replacement is found, and feck off apartheid US backed Isreal, but I understand this is not the Chinese way.
I love the statement by Xi on Palestine
Too many nice theoretical words. What do they actually mean in practise though?
There is an opportunity to wrestle the Arabs away from America. You meet them, they say "A good first step would be adding these anti-Iran points in your statement". Does China agree or not? Well, China agreed
That's where your theory breaks down. In front of sufficient benefits theories go straight to the dustbin
Iran really do not offer much for China. They lack rationality for cooperation. The only reason to help Iran is to keep them from threat of USA. So far Russia is doing a good job. Let Russia keep Iran. China can woo Arabs while still keep Iran cordial by tie with Russia. As long China do not explicitely hurt Iran Iran wont be hostile to China either. Keep a neutral approach to Iran is sufficient.
You mean "Don't threaten someone".
Frankly speaking, I'm just listing out what kinds of (general) relations that China have with all three nations.
However, if I am to rank these three countries in terms of who would be better at becoming China's friend, supporter and a cooperative partner in West Asia, then Israel being firmly in the West camp is definitely at the 3rd (last) place.
The West Asian affairs is rather complicated for China as a total outsider to meddle in. Sinking in knee-deep like the US and Russia are doing in the region would only expand and rile up new rounds of chaos and destruction.
Since the 1970s, it has been a staple of Chinese diplomacy on the world stage that China has never and will never be going around to interfere in domestic affairs, arming rebel movements, sponsor coups, instigate overthrows and militarily intervene in other countries without UN approval.
So I think it is fair to say that, at most, China should only become a mediator for peace and re-engagement among West Asian countries. Problems and issues in West Asia must be resolved by West Asian countries themselves, plus China abides by and respects the non-interference policy.
Straight from the horse's mouth
Laos isn't a random developing country where some certain country's media can stir resentment, it is ruled by a socialist party that is highly aligned with CPC on policy and ideology (even more than CPV), and has been a historical partner even during the Sino-Soviet split.
I agree with @Overbom's perspective regarding Iran and Middle East. The fact of the matter is that the leaders of Iran are hardcore idealogues who have put the Palestinian issue above the interests of their own citizens. They are funding proxies all over ME while their own economy continues to degrade and their citizens continue to suffer. This is not a stable and pragmatic partner in China's eyes.
That doesn't mean China should abandon Iran, but it means that China as a pragmatic country (unlike Iran) should put its interests first and seek deeper relations with the Gulf countries which have much more to offer. And it is only natural for the Gulf countries to try to nudge China in their direction at Iran's expense because they are welcoming China with open arms in all sectors and fields and need guarantees that their number 1 trading / economic / investment partner and 2nd security partner supports their core interests just as the Gulf states support China on Taiwan / HK / Xinjiang.
That doesn't mean China should abandon Iran, but it means that China as a pragmatic country (unlike Iran) should put its interests first and seek deeper relations with the Gulf countries which have much more to offer. And it is only natural for the Gulf countries to try to nudge China in their direction at Iran's expense because they are welcoming China with open arms in all sectors and fields and need guarantees that their number 1 trading / economic / investment partner and 2nd security partner supports their core interests just as the Gulf states support China on Taiwan / HK / Xinjiang.
Iran has the biggest potential in the Middle East due to its geography, population and technology development, and . However, because of its potential, we have to accept that Iran is going to be highly independent, its going to project power, and it won't just do what China wants. Saudi Arabia though, just doesn't have the geography, population or technological base to be an independent regional pole the way Iran is.
Iran's circumstances are actually really good. Geographically they control the entire northern shore of the Persian Gulf and the Straits of Hormuz, they're impossible to invade due to having a huge country 3x bigger than Ukraine and filled with mountains, and their population is both large and evenly spread in fertile mountain valleys. Iran doesn't have to import food, cars, anything except chips and specialized industrial products. They're located at a critical global junction between South Asia, the Middle East and Central Asia.
This is what Iran looks like. Not what you think when you hear 'Middle East'.
Saudi Arabia's circumstances are less good. They are located on a barren desert, import everything including food, and they cannot even control the Persian Gulf due to their weak navy and being blocked off by Qatar, UAE and Oman. Their population is much smaller (1/4 Iran size) and much more concentrated in cities. This means that they're actually quite vulnerable in a way that Iran isn't to conventional military pressure. But - they have tons and tons of oil. This means they are likely to show greater loyalty to partners.