The Continuous Weakening of Ideology in the Construction of China-Saudi Arabia Relations: A Historical Review

Abstract

Abstract In international politics, the formulation and implementation of foreign policy guided by ideology often impede the normal development of bilateral relations between state actors. Since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the relationships between China and Saudi Arabia have experienced twists and turns, which roughly reflect a relational evolution from the initial political opposition and lack of interaction to the current comprehensive strategic partnership. In this process, a prominent feature is that the ideological interference has decreased with the strengthening of China-Saudi relations. This article explores the underlying causes behind this phenomenon by starting from the basic historical facts of ideological interference that changed from strong to weak in bilateral relationships between China and Saudi Arabia. With regard to the reasons for the weakening of ideology, this article holds that the change of the international distribution of power from one of bipolarity to multipolarity is the starting point and the main external political factor; the consideration of national interests is the essential factor; the pluralistic value orientation is another vital factor that continuously extends the tolerances of both sides’ foreign policies. These factors are superimposed on each other and jointly weaken ideological considerations in China-Saudi relations. It should be noted that ideological interference has not completely disappeared. At specific times and events, it may still become an obstacle to the development of China-Saudi Arabia relations.