china in the mediterranean: an arena of strategic competition?

This scholarly book provides a timely examination of China’s growing influence in the Mediterranean region. It offers a comparative and theoretical perspective underpinned by an up-to-date empirical analysis. The book uses role theory as the theoretical framework throughout, exploring the escalating tensions in the Mediterranean, where a complex triangular relationship seems to have emerged, largely due to China’s expanding presence on both the Southern and Northern shores.

Beijing’s sustained engagement and increasing influence have significantly affected the perceptions of France, the region’s former colonial power, and Spain, as well as global competitors such as Russia, Turkey, Israel, and the Gulf states. From a security standpoint, China’s engagement in the Mediterranean has also raised concerns in the United States. Within this multifaceted context, the chapters in this volume scrutinize how the evolving interactions between China and the Mediterranean states elucidate the progression of Sino-Southern Mediterranean relations and Sino-Northern Mediterranean relations.

Moreover, the current conflict in Gaza has heightened interest in China’s role in the Mediterranean and the broader Middle East. This volume is undoubtedly a valuable resource for academics, policymakers, and students at both undergraduate and graduate levels with an interest in strategic studies, politics, diplomacy and international relations. The chapters in this book were initially published as a special issue of Mediterranean Politics.

Emilie Tran is Assistant Professor in Politics and Public Administration at the Hong Kong Metropolitan University, Hong Kong. She holds a PhD degree from the Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales, Paris, France.

Yahia H. Zoubir is Professor of International Studies at KEDGE Business School, France, a Non-Resident Senior Fellow at the Middle East Council on Global Affairs, Doha, Qatar, and a Fudan University Scholar, Shanghai, China. He teaches at various universities around the world.