China’s Growing Influence in the Persian Gulf

It wasn’t that long ago the Persian Gulf was a no-go zone for Chinese diplomacy. Back then, China didn’t source much energy from Gulf countries, and its diplomats were ill-equipped to handle the region’s contentious politics. That is no longer the case.

The six member countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council collectively form one of China’s largest trading blocs anywhere in the world… and not just for energy. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and others are now major destinations for Chinese investment in tech, autos, and other non-oil sectors.

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by Eric Olander

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