China’s new crisis diplomacy

Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to the Middle East this week comes at a time of rising tensions between regional heavyweights Saudi Arabia and Iran and ongoing conflict in Syria and Iraq. While China will try to strike a balanced approach to its relations in the region, Chinese investments and nationals are faced with persistent political and security risk.

In a new policy brief, DIIS senior researcher Luke Patey explores how China’s burgeoning global trade and investment has pushed Chinese foreign policymakers to protect Chinese citizens and corporate assets in crises in Africa and the Middle East. He suggests how China can improve its response to crises and avenues of engagement for foreign governments in building cooperation with the Chinese government and state-owned enterprises in both regions.