China’s strategy amid West Asia’s security realignment

The article analyzes China's evolving strategy in West Asia, marked by President Xi Jinping's four-point formula for a new regional security architecture, articulated during his 2026 visit to Egypt. This formula emphasizes reducing external interference, prioritizing a two-state solution for Palestine, linking stability to development through economic diplomacy, and operating within the UN framework. The article also examines China's cautious response to the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement (Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye), highlighting an internal debate within China on whether the pact serves American interests or represents regional strategic autonomy. Beijing's approach is driven by its significant economic and energy stakes in the region, aiming to support regional autonomy economically while remaining militarily disengaged, leveraging opportunities arising from perceived shifts in US credibility.