Engaging rivals such as Syria, Saudi Arabia, Israel and Iran, all at the same time

China is in the middle of a complex diplomatic dance with West Asia, by engaging rivals such as Syria, Saudi Arabia, Israel and Iran, all at the same time.

On Tuesday, visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Chinese President Xi Jinping announced an “innovative comprehensive partnership” between both countries.

China-Israel ties

China’s focus in the “partnership” is on maximising absorption of Israel’s technology in hi-tech and other advanced domains. That dovetails well with the ‘Made in China-2025’ strategy of transitioning China’s manufacturing to the advanced level by leveraging the Internet, Big Data and robotics among the key tools.

In that endeavour, China is pursuing the industry 4.0 model pioneered by Germany. In his remarks as paraphrased by Xinhua, President Xi singled out “innovation cooperation” as the motor driving overall ties with Israel.

In turn, Mr. Netanyahu narrowed down on clean energy, agriculture, investment, finance and medical services among the top priority areas.

Israel hopes to participate in the Belt and Road Initiative — fast becoming a litmus test defining the health of any nation’s ties with China.

Unperturbed by the complex web of rivalries and friendships, the Chinese are also aiming high in building ties with the region’s controversial heavyweight, Saudi Arabia.

Last week Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud was in Beijing.

With energy, and infrastructure investments by China as the centre, the two countries ended up signing agreements and letters of intent worth around $65 billion involving investment, energy, space and other areas.

Strong relationship

Xinhua quoted Mr. Xi as saying that China will support the Kingdom’s “Saudi Vision 2030” plan — a blueprint for reducing Riyadh’s dependence on oil, and reliance on other drivers of the economy such as infrastructure development — where China is a world leader — apart from health, education and tourism.

Closer ties with Riyadh have not diluted China’s strong relationship with Iran, Saudi Arabia’s archrival, highlighting Beijing’s non-zero sum approach to the region.

China and Russia have been active partners preventing “regime change” in Syria, which is also strongly backed by Iran.

As China’s interests permeate deeper, what role should Beijing play in fractious web of international diplomacy in the region? Global Times, a tabloid affiliated with the flagship People’s Daily group has advised in an op-ed on Wednesday that China should distance itself from a deeper involvement in West Asia’s foggy smoke-and-mirrors politics.

“The complexity of Middle East affairs should be fully recognised. China’s ability to influence the region still lags behind the U.S., the EU and even Russia. China is faced with a complicated geopolitical situation, and the Middle East is not in the core area of China’s diplomatic interests,” opines the daily.

It adds: “Under such circumstances, China should continue its present stance and work firmly on economic cooperation. To strengthen its economic power and partnership in a low-profile manner is the right strategy for China's Middle East policy.”