June 25, 2026

China Has Not Escaped the Middle East. It Has Learned to Live with the Risk

Andrea Ghiselli

"China’s energy security strategy is working better than many expected. Not because China has escaped dependence, and not because it can control the Gulf. It cannot. Another prolonged Hormuz closure would still hurt China badly. But Beijing has bought itself time, flexibility and bargaining room. That is no small achievement, and it will surely continue to build on this success. While China has not escaped the Middle East, it has learned to live with the risk and to make that risk less strategically decisive."

Andrea Ghiselli, ChinaMed Head of Research, has authored an article for RUSI examining China's energy strategy in the Middle East and highlighting its resilience in the face of recent regional developments.

Read the full article here.

With the support of

This project is realized with the support of the Unit for Analysis, Policy Planning and Historical Documentation - Directorate General for Political Affairs and International Security of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, in accordance with Article 23 ‒ bis of the Decree of the President of the Italian Republic 18/1967.
The views expressed are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views ofthe Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

Published with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation pursuant to art. 23-bis of Presidential Decree 18/1967. The views expressed in this publication are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

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