The purpose of the article is to present the features of China’s foreign policy in the Middle East, for which Chinese politicians have developed a unique concept of a long-term strategy based on the principle of “soft power”. The work analyzes the key objectives of China’s foreign policy towards the Middle East region, considers a number of fundamental goals and objectives of China’s diplomatic relations with the countries of the Middle East, primarily long-term trade and economic cooperation. As a result of the study, the author comes to the conclusion that China is interested in promoting long-term economic projects and programs in the Middle East, and, as a result, is maximally interested in maintaining a stable political situation in the region against the backdrop of the escalation of military conflicts, putting its own business interests first. To implement its political strategy, China uses such tools of “soft power” as initiatives and events aimed at deepening economic and political ties with the states of the Middle East; active coverage in the media of China’s humanitarian and peacekeeping initiative; systematic promotion of Chinese culture and language in the Arab world. According to the author, within the framework of the “soft power” policy, there is a need to form a more favorable international field for cultural diplomacy, which will allow China to more deeply and systematically explore the potential for cooperation with the Middle East states.
Keywords:foreign policy of the People’s Republic of China, China, «soft power», the Middle East, «soft power» diplomacy, strategic partnership