Between Xi Jinping’s December 2022 visit to Riyadh and the August 2023 expansion of BRICS to include several Middle Eastern countries, China’s power and influence in the MENA region appeared to gain significant momentum. Regional expectations of China as a major external actor also grew, with many countries deepening their bilateral cooperation with Beijing across economic, technological, diplomatic, and increasingly strategic sectors. However, China’s responses to the Gaza war and the Red Sea crisis have revealed a disconnect between the desires of the Middle East and what China is willing to provide. This presentation will delve into the regional perceptions of China’s expanding presence in the Middle East. Drawing on fieldwork conducted across the Middle East since mid-2022, Dr. Fulton will explore how China is perceived as a partner by individuals in the region.