ABSTRACT

This book focuses on the relationship established between China, the world’s second largest economy, and Saudi Arabia, the world’s top oil exporter. Due to Saudi Arabia’s dominance of the world oil market, China is increasingly focusing its attention on the Saudi Arabia as a reliable oil supplier while Saudi Arabia sees China as an enormous potential market and strategic trade partner. It investigates both countries’ motives for establishing a strategic relationship and outlines the potential for successful co-operation between them. It then goes on to address the wider implications for the United States in the Middle East.

chapter 1|3 pages

Introduction

chapter 2|33 pages

China's ‘rise'

Theoretical framework

chapter 3|22 pages

China–Middle East oil background

chapter 5|24 pages

China's perspective

Searching for a reliable partner

chapter 6|24 pages

Saudi Arabia's strategy

Hedging for the future

chapter 8|22 pages

China–Saudi oil links

Alliance or normal trade?

chapter 9|15 pages

China–Saudi military cooperation

Is it an alternative to the US?

chapter 10|25 pages

China's rising influence in the Gulf

Implications for the US

chapter 11|5 pages

Conclusion