The Role of the Gulf in the Longue Durée Of China's Foreign Policy

This article examines the evolution of China’s policy
towardthePersianGulf,linkingitscontemporarystrate-
giestoitshistoricalprinciplesofdiplomacy,particularly
those rooted in Maoism. It first outlines a conceptual
framework that connects China’s Gulf policies to the
enduring Maoist tradition in its foreign policy. The
analysisthendelvesintoMaoZedong’stheoryofinter-
mediate zones and its influence on China’s strategic
postureintheMiddleEastfromthemid-20th centuryto
today. The focus shifts to the increasing importance of
the region, especially the Gulf, in the current iteration
ofChina’sintermediate-zonesstrategy.SituatingChina’s
policies within the context of Mao’s anti-hegemonic
stance and the concept of intermediate zones provides
a nuanced perspective on the Chinese approach to the
MiddleEast.TheauthorsarguethatChina’slongstand-
ing anti-hegemonic strategy has hindered the devel-
opment of a more independent and assertive regional
policy.However,theysuggestthattherecentintensifica-
tionoftheSino-Americanrivalry,theperceiveddecline
inUSregionalinfluence,andthe“newcentrality”ofthe
PersianGulfmaypromptChinatoadoptamoreproac-
tive role in the region, moving beyond its traditional
strategyofactivedefense.Thisarticleispartofaspecial
issueexaminingtheresponsesofGulfcountriestorising
Sino-Americancompetition,editedbyAndreaGhiselli,
AnoushiravanEhteshami,andEnricoFardella.