Oman’s strategic geographic location makes it an ideal location for the Chinese regime to extend its influence in the Middle East. The Persian Gulf’s strategic location for oil supplies also factors into China’s interest, with Oman serving as a potential base for China to safeguard its oil and natural gas shipments and a counterbalance to the U.S. military presence in Bahrain and India’s Western Command.
Furthermore, the Chinese regime’s goal to encircle India with a network of military bases and ports would encircle India and protect its sea lanes, a crucial element in realizing its ambition of global dominance. There are also commercial interests in the area, with Chinese companies investing in projects that Saudi Arabia views favorably.
China’s pursuit of military bases in Oman and the broader Middle East suggests China’s intent to exert influence in the “string of pearls” strategy, referring to the influence that Chinese civilian and military installations would have in various key locations between Asia and Africa. Its engagement with Iran, Syria, and the Hamas regime in Israel demonstrate the Chinese regime’s alignment with anti-American forces in the Middle East. This seems to form part of Beijing’s broader ambitions to challenge the dominance of the petrodollar and extend its influence as a global power.