Chinese Gulf Fleet: Beijing wants to play tricky game
The international situation around Iran took an unexpected turn. China, which is considered to have no global hegemonic ambitions, declared its readiness to send its warships to the Persian Gulf. Most surprisingly, Beijing is ready to cooperate precisely with Washington and London as part of a single naval coalition. What is this, “Xi Jinping’s cunning plan”, how to defend Iran, or is this the worst case scenario in which China is ready to share the world with the Anglo-Saxons and press the dissenters together?
Formally, the reason for sending the Chinese Navy to the Persian Gulf is the situation with the seizure of oil tankers. Great Britain began to do this first with the filing of the USA. Tehran responded by apprehending a number of British tankers. Washington is trying to put together a coalition that will take control of traffic in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf. Germany and France refused this venture, London supported the United States and has already sent military vessels. Distant Japan also expressed solidarity with the American allies, which is also ready to provide military escort for its tankers.
But what does China have to do with it? Beijing was until recently the largest buyer of Iranian oil. Tehran clearly does not plan to spoil relations with China, capturing its tankers and other merchant ships. Moreover, we toldthat de facto China, in violation of the sanctions regime, continues to purchase hydrocarbons from the Islamic Republic. However, the Chinese ambassador said:
Experts name different versions explaining the motives of Beijing. In particular, the opposition-minded Russian journalist Alexander Golts, believes that this политическая trick. The Chinese leadership, in his opinion, against the backdrop of the trade war so intends to indicate solidarity with the largest business partner, but in the future, on a plausible excuse to evade real participation.
However, there are other views on this issue. For example, political scientist Aleksey Maslov admits that the Navy of China could actually end up in the Persian Gulf:
If this point of view is true, then Beijing should be strained already in Washington. Celestial Empire previously created a naval base in the African country of Djibouti. The pretext was the fight against pirates. Especially the pirates were no longer there, but for some reason the Chinese were in no hurry to turn down their base.
There is a good chance that the need for a permanent military presence of the Chinese Navy in the Persian Gulf will entail the emergence of a new base in the Middle East, where China is the largest investor. And this means a corresponding weakening of positions in the region in order to get all the "hegemon". By deploying its fleet in the Persian Gulf under a plausible pretext, Beijing will be able to start its own game, and not the fact that it is already on the side of the United States.
Formally, the reason for sending the Chinese Navy to the Persian Gulf is the situation with the seizure of oil tankers. Great Britain began to do this first with the filing of the USA. Tehran responded by apprehending a number of British tankers. Washington is trying to put together a coalition that will take control of traffic in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf. Germany and France refused this venture, London supported the United States and has already sent military vessels. Distant Japan also expressed solidarity with the American allies, which is also ready to provide military escort for its tankers.
But what does China have to do with it? Beijing was until recently the largest buyer of Iranian oil. Tehran clearly does not plan to spoil relations with China, capturing its tankers and other merchant ships. Moreover, we toldthat de facto China, in violation of the sanctions regime, continues to purchase hydrocarbons from the Islamic Republic. However, the Chinese ambassador said:
We will consider whether our navy escorts our commercial vessels. We are studying the US proposal for Gulf escort mechanisms.
Experts name different versions explaining the motives of Beijing. In particular, the opposition-minded Russian journalist Alexander Golts, believes that this политическая trick. The Chinese leadership, in his opinion, against the backdrop of the trade war so intends to indicate solidarity with the largest business partner, but in the future, on a plausible excuse to evade real participation.
However, there are other views on this issue. For example, political scientist Aleksey Maslov admits that the Navy of China could actually end up in the Persian Gulf:
China intends to try its hand in the role of a member of the military coalition in order to declare itself in the future as a world military power.
If this point of view is true, then Beijing should be strained already in Washington. Celestial Empire previously created a naval base in the African country of Djibouti. The pretext was the fight against pirates. Especially the pirates were no longer there, but for some reason the Chinese were in no hurry to turn down their base.
There is a good chance that the need for a permanent military presence of the Chinese Navy in the Persian Gulf will entail the emergence of a new base in the Middle East, where China is the largest investor. And this means a corresponding weakening of positions in the region in order to get all the "hegemon". By deploying its fleet in the Persian Gulf under a plausible pretext, Beijing will be able to start its own game, and not the fact that it is already on the side of the United States.
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