A STUDY OF THE SINO-SAUDI AND SINO-PERSIAN RELATIONSHIPS

Abstract

This thesis examines the emerging relationship of two Middle Eastern regional powers—Saudi Arabia and Iran—with a globally expansionist Chinese state. Due to the existing U.S. national security interests in the Middle Eastern region, it is critical to identify the principal drivers that have prompted both Iran and Saudi Arabia to develop closer ties with China in order to determine if and how these relationships may affect U.S. interests. Clarifying the dynamics of the Sino-Saudi and Sino-Persian relationships will enable U.S. decisionmakers to better anticipate the effects those relationships may have on the Middle Eastern region. To determine the drivers compelling Saudi Arabia and Iran closer to China, the thesis applies a qualitative case study method to examine aspects of the economic, diplomatic, and security factors of the Sino-Saudi and Sino-Persian relationships. The research broadly assesses the period that established formal relations—1979 for the Sino-Persian case and 1990 for the Sino-Saudi case—through present day. The research found that economic factors are the main drivers contributing to closer ties in both the Sino-Saudi and Sino-Persian relationships. Although this thesis clarifies the factors that compel the Sino-Saudi and Sino-Persian relationships, these factors are not indicative of what drives other Middle Eastern countries to develop stronger ties with China.