Wang Lincong from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences gives a long interview (in Mandarin) previewing the Institute of West Asian and African Studies’ new effort to bolster Middle East studies as a strategic body of academic research for informing Chinese foreign policy in the region. In this paper, I provide an overviw of many of the key points from the interview.
Chinese scholars on the Middle East are reforming their approach to Middle East scholarship. China’s Institute of West Asian and African Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) is driving this shift by building what it calls an “independent knowledge system” for Middle East studies. The idea is simple: create a new scholarly approach which moves beyond Western theoretical paradigms which have dominated modern thinking on the Middle East and, instead, applies China’s worldview and theoretical paradigms to the field of Middle East studies.
This evolution, as outlined in a recent interview with Deputy Director Wang Lincong, marks an interesting development in China's academic diplomacy. Chinese engagement in the Middle East is not a new phenomanon, but the rate at which Beijing has deepended its role over the past decade has astounded many observers, including many in China. Many Chinese institutions are responding accordingly by deepening their analytical focus on the region, investing in the training of a new generation of Chinese-Middle East scholars, and advancing indigenous research agendas.
China’s expertise on the Middle East lags far behind its political and economic interests in the region, especially when compared to the Middle East, Europe, or even Russia. But this is beginning to change as a result of the internationalization of Chinese academic institutions. However, this gap is beginning to narrow with the internationalization of Chinese academic institutions. This process is unfolding in two key ways: First, universities in China are developing more robust university programs and education resources focused on teaching students about the world through regional studies. University programs at prominent Chinese institutions are giving students first hand training on international relations, national security, global governance, and development as well as on regions critical to China’s national interests, including Africa, Middle East, and Latin American studies. This means young Chinese graduates are increasingly learning foreign languages, able to speak foreign languages, and are engaging in study abroad programs in critical regions.
Second, the reform of Middle East scholarship in China seeks to develop theories and approaches which move away western paradigms and political theories which have shaped global education on the Middle East for decades and replace them with theoretical approaches rooted in China’s own perspectives. After decades in which Western scholarship has defined global understanding of the Middle East, Chinese academics are seeking to develop an alternative discourse—one that reflects China’s strategic culture, its diplomatic traditions, and its emphasis on sovereignty, non-interference, and development.
Wang describes this transformation as part of the Institute’s mission as a “national team,” responsible for generating scholarship that supports China’s national interests while challenging the intellectual dominance of the West. This agenda aligns closely with the Chinese Communist Party’s broader effort to construct a philosophy and social sciences system “with Chinese characteristics”—a project that extends not only across domestic disciplines but into China’s engagement with the world.
Introducing New Concepts
Two of the most prominent concepts emerging from this intellectual reorientation on the Middle East are the concepts of “autonomous security” and the “dramatic long wave.”
The concept of autonomous security (自主安全), proposed by Wang, redefines how Middle East security should be understood. It rejects the notion that the region's stability should be guaranteed by external powers—particularly the United States and Europe—and instead argues that countries in the region must cultivate their own independent security capabilities. It reframes the essential questions of Middle East security: Who defines the threats? Whose interests are being protected? And for whom is security being constructed?
In contrast to Western frameworks that often prioritize geopolitical competition or external threat management, autonomous security centers the agency of Middle Eastern states and peoples. It fits neatly within China’s broader foreign policy narrative of sovereignty, non-interference, and South-South solidarity.
The second major framework, the “dramatic long wave” (剧变长波), was introduced in the 2019–2020 Middle East Yellow Book and offers a longitudinal view of the region’s post-2010 transformation. Instead of viewing the Arab uprisings and subsequent conflicts as isolated shocks, the “long wave” concept interprets these events as part of a drawn-out, complex process of structural change. It suggests that the Middle East remains in a state of unresolved flux, one that demands patience, local ownership, and systemic reform—principles that echo China’s cautious, non-interventionist approach to foreign crises.
Alongisde these concepts, Chinese scholars at the Institute have also advanced three frameworks aimed at rethinking Middle East governance from a non-Western perspective.
First, they underscore the issue of externalities in international relations. In other words, they recognize that, since the modern era, foreign powers have consistently shaped the political and security order of the Middle East. As a result, many states in the region have struggled to assert genuine autonomy or independently chart their developmental paths.
Second, they propose a multi-level framework for Middle East security governance grounded in China’s “new security concept” (NSC). At the national level, this approach calls for advancing security through development by strengthening the capacities of individual Middle Eastern states—both through self-reliance and strategic partnerships—to enhance autonomy and move away from Western-led security models. At the regional level, the NSC favors collective regional cooperation over external intervention, envisioning security as a responsibility shared among Middle Eastern states. Wang Yi has previously pointed to a Gulf security mechanism, proposed under the Global Security Initiative, as one possible model. At the international level, the framework places the United Nations at the center of global crisis response and mediation, advocating for a new, inclusive security architecture rooted in multilateralism and regional ownership.
Third, scholars introduce the concept of the “Gulf Moment” in climate governance, framing the Gulf as a critical arena for pioneering new models of environmental cooperation. This notion expands the boundaries of Middle East studies beyond conventional political and security concerns, linking climate resilience to long-term regional stability and enriching the study of governance in the region.
Serving the State, Shaping the Narrative
This emerging model of academic research on the Middle East is closely intertwined with state—and more specifically, Party—interests. As Wang emphasizes, “this is inseparable from the positioning and policy support of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. In recent years, the Party Committee of the Academy has been committed to promoting the development of a disciplinary, academic, and discourse system in philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics. It has proposed building the Institute into an academic hub that serves General Secretary Xi Jinping and the Party Central Committee, acts as a vanguard shaping the direction of China’s academic development, and serves as a high-end platform for advancing Chinese scholarship globally in the new era. The project team has consistently taken this as its guiding vision.”
This alignment between scholarship and state strategy reveals the extent to which Party ideology shapes regional studies—and, in turn, how academic research is leveraged as an active tool of Chinese foreign policy. By channeling research into diplomacy, China cultivates its image among Arab and Middle Eastern states as a partner that respects regional agency. These emerging frameworks closely mirror Beijing’s diplomatic style, emphasizing sovereignty, mutual respect, and development over military intervention or regime change. Crucially, they offer Middle Eastern governments a narrative that affirms their pursuit of self-determination without the normative pressures of liberal internationalism–uniquely a posture Donald Trump leaned on during his recent Saudi visit.
Whether this Chinese school of Middle East studies will be adopted beyond Beijing remains an open question. But its emergence signals a new phase in China’s rise as a producer of ideas.
If you want to learn more or are interested in a deeper dive on Chinese foreign policy in the Middle East, please reach me at jesse.marks@rihlaadvisory.com or visit us at Rihla Research & Advisory.
Full translated interview below
In recent years, the academic community has paid increasing attention to the Middle East. From the perspective of China, the Institute of West Asian and African Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (China African Institute) has proposed original concepts of Middle East studies in order to serve the overall national situation, explain current issues, and improve the construction of regional and country studies. This is the unshirkable responsibility and responsibility of the Institute of West Asian and African Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (China African Institute) as a "national team". What work has the Institute of West Asian and African Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (China African Institute) done and what gaps has it filled in building an independent knowledge system? Recently, this newspaper reporter interviewed Wang Lincong, deputy director (deputy dean) of the Institute of West Asian and African Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (China African Institute) (hereinafter referred to as "West Asian and African Institute") on this issue.
Showing Chinese scholars’ “views on the Middle East”
China Social Sciences Today: The Institute of West Asia and Africa has long been committed to the study of basic issues. In recent years, it has achieved many outstanding results in the construction of discourse systems, and its influence has continued to rise. Could you please introduce the process of proposing relevant representative academic concepts and their academic influence?
Wang Lincong: The Institute of West Asia and Africa adheres to the guidance of Xi Jinping's diplomatic thought and the basic principles of Marxism, and uses this as a guide to carry out analysis of major theoretical and practical issues in the Middle East, and has put forward many concepts with certain characteristics. For example, some scholars have put forward concepts such as "transitional political stage" and "oil differential rent", which show the unique "Middle East view" of Chinese scholars and provide a strong academic explanation for many practical problems in the Middle East.
In recent years, the real problems in the Middle East have also undergone new turns and changes. The scholars of the Institute of West Asian and African Studies have quickly followed this change with their academic acumen and insight. The iconic concepts such as "autonomous security" and "long wave of dramatic changes" proposed by our scholars have become increasingly influential in the West Asian and African academic circles and have been widely recognized.
In 2016, President Xi Jinping delivered a speech at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo, pointing out that "the Middle East is a fertile land... but it has not yet escaped war and conflict. Where is the Middle East heading? This is the 'Middle East question' that the world has repeatedly mentioned." This reflects the basic position of the Chinese government on solving the Middle East issue, and also points out the direction for solving the security dilemma and development predicament in the Middle East. The Middle East region urgently needs to strengthen its independent security capacity building and explore its own development path.
In response to this need, and also to provide a more convincing theoretical support for the Chinese solution, the concept of "independent security" came into being. This concept was first proposed by me in the article "Security Issues and Governance in the Middle East". Its main connotation is to emphasize that Middle Eastern countries should avoid "security outsourcing", change their security strategy of relying on external forces, especially Western powers, and strengthen the construction of "security independent capabilities".
Different from the Middle East security research advocated by Western academia, the concept of "autonomous security" theoretically answers major questions such as "who is the main body of Middle East security", namely "whose security", "for whom to create a safe environment", "whose security is threatened", and "whose security interests are protected". It further clarifies that Middle East security refers to the security of the Middle East region, countries and people in the Middle East, rather than the so-called security of Western powers in the Middle East.
The academic value of the concept of "autonomous security" lies in: first, it provides Chinese scholars with an understanding of the Middle East security issue and corrects the fallacies of the Western academic community in the Middle East security research; second, it identifies the crux of the Middle East security issue and proposes that improving the ability and level of autonomous security is the fundamental way to solve the Middle East security issue. At present, the concept of "autonomous security" has gradually gained attention and recognition from the academic community, and has appeared widely in many articles and academic seminars in the academic community. The expansive and divergent discussions around this concept are also increasing.
The concept of "long wave of dramatic changes" is also a theoretical summary based on a systematic reflection on the current situation of dramatic changes in the Middle East and a summary of the multiple complex governance crises in the Middle East. It reflects the perspectives and thoughts of Chinese scholars on the Middle East issue and also provides theoretical support for my country's participation in Middle East affairs.
The concept of "dramatic long wave" was first proposed in the Middle East Yellow Book "Middle East Development Report (2019-2020): Reflections and Prospects on the Drastic Changes in the Middle East". This concept is essentially to observe the transformation and development issues in the Middle East from a long-term perspective. After the research results were proposed, they attracted widespread attention from the academic community because of their accurate summary of the long-term development status of the Middle East. The concept of "dramatic long wave" believes that since the dramatic changes in the Middle East in 2010, the development of the region has been characterized by long-term, continuous and complex characteristics, and summarizes it as a "long wave effect". So far, many Middle Eastern countries have not walked out of the "vortex of dramatic changes" and are still in a state of intertwined chaos and turmoil. It is also based on this analytical logic that the Middle Eastern countries can only gradually open the historical process of the "new Middle East" by choosing to rely on independent security, seek independent development and modernization.
China Social Sciences Today: In addition to these iconic concepts, what other representative achievements has the Institute of West Asian and African Studies achieved in conceptual innovation and basic research innovation?
Wang Lincong: At present, the Institute of West Asia and Africa has undertaken the "Contemporary Middle East Development", a strategic advantage discipline construction project of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. With the support of the institute, the project team coordinates the Middle East research forces of the entire institute, conducts systematic research in the fields of Middle East political and economic development, international relations, security, etc., and continuously promotes the construction of the "three major systems" of Middle East research, and has made some breakthrough progress and phased results, and has also filled many gaps at the domestic research level.
In terms of conceptual innovation, the first is to raise the issue of "externalities" in international relations in the Middle East, that is, since modern times, foreign powers have long dominated the Middle East order, and Middle Eastern countries are subject to the manipulation of external forces, making it difficult to lead their own development and lacking autonomy. Second, a multi-level framework for Middle East security governance is proposed, that is, taking the new security concept as the core concept, abandoning the traditional Western security thinking, promoting security through development at the domestic level, and strengthening the construction of independent security capabilities; promoting security through cooperation at the regional level, with mutual security and shared risk management as the goal, abandoning the exclusive security framework, and promoting the construction of a collective security mechanism; at the international level, the United Nations is the main body, strengthening the control and coordination of security crises, promoting the establishment of a new Middle East security order, and achieving overall security in the Middle East. Third, the "Gulf Moment" of climate governance is proposed, enriching and expanding the breadth and depth of Middle East governance research.
In terms of innovation in basic research, the construction projects of advantageous disciplines focus on basic issues of Middle East development. The "Overview of Contemporary Middle East Development", "Yearbook of Chinese Middle East Studies" and "Middle East Studies in China in the 21st Century" are being compiled, and new breakthroughs have been made in the research on the development path and modernization of Middle Eastern countries. For example, "Historical Study of the Libyan Tribal Issue" studies the tribal issue from the perspective of political development and puts forward the "dual role" of tribes in the historical development process of the Libyan nation. "Research on Military-Political Relations in Arab Countries - Taking Republican Countries Such as Egypt, Iraq, Yemen and Lebanon as Examples" deeply studies the types, characteristics and evolution of military-political relations in Arab countries, and effectively refutes the erroneous arguments and understandings of Western scholars in this field. "Research on Relations between India and Middle Eastern Countries" comprehensively sorts out the historical exchanges and changes between India and the Middle East, and fills the weaknesses and gaps in the domestic research on this issue. "From Extreme to Moderate: Saudi Religious Change and Its Influence", "Evolution and Roots of Traditional Political Thought of the Twelver Shiites" and "Ansari on Divine Power" demonstrate the driving force of change in Islamic countries, the historical development of Islamic thought and its current impact.
Advancing basic research and
Integrated development of applied research
"China Social Sciences News": As the influence of these original achievements continues to expand, what are the academic innovations and their practical value based on these basic research works?
Wang Lincong: The project team of advantageous disciplines insists on applying research to practice, serving the people through academic research and serving the country through scientific research. With the purpose of serving the national interests, we actively explore new paths for the integrated development of basic research and applied research.
First, expand the social impact of academic achievements. The research results of the project team members have been widely praised in the academic community. The paper "Security Issues and Governance in the Middle East" was reprinted in full in the 5th issue of Xinhua Digest in 2018, and won the third prize of the Excellent Scientific Research Achievements of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. The paper "Marxist View of the Times and the International Environment for the Development of Middle Eastern Countries" was reprinted in the 2nd issue of Chinese Social Science Digest in 2017. "Friendly Cooperation between China and Egypt" won the 2019 National Think Tank Report Excellence Award.
Second, we actively accelerated the transformation of results and provided theoretical support and services for decision-making. Guided by policies, the institute continuously encouraged its researchers to give full play to their professional expertise, strengthen the topic planning and writing of information reporting, and achieved good results in improving policy-making capabilities. Several information reporting results received good feedback and won the special prize, first prize and second prize of excellent decision-making information of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
Third, the acceleration of talent team building has been effective. At present, the institute has established a high-quality discipline team through collective project research and the role of "teaching, helping and guiding". It has accumulated certain experience and achieved many results in enhancing the academic influence of senior researchers, promoting the healthy progress of middle-aged scholars, and cultivating a reserve team of outstanding young talents.
China Social Sciences Daily: In your opinion, what are the background and conditions for the production of these original results? Why can the West Asia African Research Institute produce these innovative results? What experience does the West Asia African Research Institute have in allocating resources and guiding scholars to carry out scientific research?
Wang Lincong: First of all, this is inseparable from the positioning and policy support of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. In recent years, the Party Committee of the Academy has been committed to promoting the construction of a discipline system, academic system, and discourse system of philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics, and proposed to build the Institute into an academic town serving General Secretary Xi Jinping and the Party Central Committee, a flag array leading the direction of China's academic development, and a high-end platform for Chinese academic "going out" in the new era. The project team has always taken this as a guide, striving to do a good job in building an independent knowledge system of Middle East studies with Chinese characteristics, and actively carrying out the construction of "two towns (arrays) and one platform".
Secondly, this comes from the academic heritage of the Institute of West Asian Studies and Africa. Since the establishment of the Institute of West Asian Studies and Africa in 1961, the Middle East discipline has developed over half a century and has become a scientific research team with the largest scale and high comprehensive quality in China. It has produced many scholars with important influence in the academic community and published a large number of research results with important academic and social influence, thus forming a dominant discipline in Middle East studies covering multiple fields such as politics, economy, international relations, ethnicity and religion.
Secondly, follow the laws of scientific research, strengthen scientific research planning, and carry out organized scientific research in depth. On the one hand, gather the strength of the team, focus on major issues, strengthen forward-looking planning on the basis of respecting the research expertise of members, and promote the implementation of research with strong execution. Adhere to the combination of orthodoxy and innovation, and encourage scholars to conduct innovative research on the basis of a broad understanding of the academic history of research topics. Adhere to the combination of breadth and specialization, and encourage scholars in the institute to continue to develop in a sophisticated direction based on their own research fields on the basis of a full understanding of the basic problems, methods and theories of the discipline. On the other hand, the leadership team of the institute attaches great importance to and supports the construction of advantageous disciplines, and provides the project team with sufficient talent support and institutional guarantees to ensure that the project team can grasp and implement organized scientific research.
Finally, with the goal of building an academic brand and constructing an independent knowledge system of Middle East studies with Chinese characteristics, we will lead the construction of an academic community for Middle East studies in China. Over the years, the “Annual Review and Outlook of the Middle East Situation” seminar held continuously in the institute has become a well-known brand in the domestic Middle East academic community. At the same time, relying on the Chinese Society of Middle East Studies, we will drive the construction of disciplines within the institute through the national Middle East academic organization platform and jointly build an academic community for Middle East studies in China. In addition, we will expand international communication channels, actively participate in the construction of the Middle East research community in the international academic community, organize international academic seminars of the Federation of Asian Middle East Societies, etc., and continuously enhance the academic influence of the West Asia Africa Institute at home and abroad.