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.