The Neo-Mercantilist Nexus: China's Geoeconomics Strategy in the Middle East—Discourse and Practice

Abstract

China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has become a cornerstone of its hybrid neo-mercantilist geoeconomics strategy, reshaping the Middle East's geopolitical and economic landscape. This research explores how the BRI enables China to secure energy resources, expand trade networks, and establish strategic infrastructure, thereby advancing its global ambitions in a multipolar world. Unlike traditional Western military-diplomatic approaches, China leverages economic engagement to fill the void left by US retrenchment, competing with powers like Russia, the EU, and India. Focusing on Saudi Arabia, Iran, and the UAE, this study examines how China's economic policies influence regional power dynamics and align with its broader geopolitical ambitions. This research addresses two key questions: To what extent does the BRI redefine China's role in the Middle East compared to other external powers? And does China's growing economic entanglement in the region signal a shift from its traditional noninterference policy toward a more pragmatic and interventionist approach? Using a mixed-methods framework that combines qualitative analysis of policy documents with quantitative evaluation of trade flows and investment patterns, this study concludes that although the BRI strengthens China's regional influence, it also introduces vulnerabilities that may compel a recalibration of its foreign policy. The findings highlight how neo-mercantilism underpins China's evolving role in the Middle East and its impact on global power dynamics.