Understanding the China-Palestine Strategic Partnership

China's decision to form a Strategic Partnership with Palestine is part of its broader initiative to enhance its political and economic influence in the West Asian region, an area where it competes with the United States for supremacy.

• This move is perceived as China's strategy to secure energy resources and establish a market for its military and civilian goods in West Asia.
• China is also advocating for its style of governance, forming a silent partnership with Russia to challenge the Western democratic order.
• China has a long history of diplomatic ties with Palestinian authorities and has even appointed a special envoy to interact with Israeli and Palestinian officials.
• Nonetheless, China's experience in the region has been predominantly confined to construction, manufacturing, and other economic ventures.

Related read: India – China relations

What Does a Strategic Partnership Mean?

A 'Strategic Partnership' is an agreement between two or more nations that outlines the nature of threats they face and their joint approach to mitigating these threats.

• Unlike an alliance, a Strategic Partnership does not mandate deeper relations or obligate states to assist each other in the face of a potential threat.
• It involves regular meetings and informal talks at various levels, including high-level officials, ministers, and military-bureaucratic officials, covering a wide range of subjects such as technology, relationship status, strategic views, etc.
• The partnership can also extend to material and physical dimensions, such as arms and high-tech trade, military training, expert exchanges, and support for each other's positions in global forums to a certain extent.
• Overall, a strategic partnership involves mutual benefits and is generally not directed against any other adversary state or group of states.