China-Saudi Arabia Relations Through the ‘1 + 2+3’ Cooperation Pattern

Abstract

2020 marks the 30th anniversary of China-Saudi Arabia diplomatic relations, and over this time the relationship has evolved from one of marginal significance to a comprehensive strategic partnership. As China's role in the Middle East expands, the partnership with Saudi Arabia will increase in importance. This article analyses the bilateral relationship by using the '1 þ 2 þ 3' cooperation pattern as a framework. Introduced during the 2014 China-Arab States Cooperation Forum, this pattern articulates the cooperation priorities Beijing will focus on while engaging with Arab states: energy, trade and investment, infrastructure, nuclear energy, space satellite, and renewable energy. By analysing levels of China-Saudi cooperation through the '1 þ 2 þ 3' we can determine the relative success of the initiative, anticipate the near-term trajectory of the bilateral relationship, and develop a framework for measuring China's relations with other key states in the Middle East.

Kepentingan China sebagai Aktor di Balik Rekonsiliasi Hubungan Arab Saudi dan Iran

“…Sebagai negara adidaya minyak dunia, hal ini tidak mengejutkan. Arab Saudi memiliki cadangan minyak terbesar kedua di dunia, terbukti sebesar 267 miliar barel, terhitung 16 persen dari minyak dunia (Fulton, 2020).…”

The Saudi Arabia–China relationship at a crossroad: A neoclassical realist analysis

“…Chinese President Xi outlined a "1 + 2 + 3" cooperation scheme with the Arab world at the 6th ministerial meeting of the China-Arab Cooperation Forum in 2014. In short, both sides have pledged to adhere to energy cooperation as the foundation, infrastructure construction, and trade and investment facilitation as the two wings of their cooperation, and then to strive to make breakthroughs in three areas-namely, the peaceful use of nuclear energy, airspace and satellite development, and new energy (Fulton, 2020b;Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, 2014). Saudi Arabia's and China's recent cooperation is a typical example of the "1 + 2 + 3" scheme.…”

China–Turkey Relations from the Perspective of Neoclassical Realism

“…On the other hand, Chang highlights that China became more visible than ever in the Middle East, especially after the Arab Spring with the Syrian crisis (Chang, 2014). China's regional agenda, known as the "1+2+3 Strategy," was introduced in 2014 to build new cooperative relationships with all regional actors based on three dimensions or pillars: energy, investment and trade (Fulton, 2020). Like other regional players, Turkish FPEs saw the growing Chinese footprint as an opportunity to diversify their trade relations.…”