China expands Middle East influence through diplomacy and trade

China is expanding its influence in the Middle East through trade, investment, and diplomacy, contrasting with the United States' reliance on military presence. While Washington maintains numerous military installations in the region, recent Iranian attacks have reportedly rendered the U.S. Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain and the command center in Qatar nearly inoperable.

In contrast, China maintains only one overseas military base in Djibouti but has secured a central role as a diplomatic mediator. Beijing is the largest trading partner for Arab states and a major investor via the Belt and Road Initiative. The 2023 normalization agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran, mediated by China, highlights Beijing's ability to act as a neutral party compared to the U.S., whose military commitments often complicate its role as a mediator.

Persian Gulf governments have increasingly turned to Beijing to exert pressure on Tehran regarding the Strait of Hormuz and to address the activities of the Houthi movement.