The Center for Strategic and International Studies just posted a 17-minute podcast on China's security interests in the Middle East hosted by Jon Alterman. Discussants include Dean Cheng, The Heritage Foundation; Evan Medeiros, The Washington Quarterly; and Andrew Scobell and Alireza Nader, RAND Corporation.
An estimated half million Chinese now live and work in the Middle East. There is an increasing need to protect Chinese nationals and economic interests in the Middle East. China is reluctant to become more involved militarily and politically for fear it would have to take sides on controversial issues as the United States has done, resulting in the making of enemies. Consequently, at least for the time being, China is willing to leave this to the United States. China does not have alliances but does believe in military diplomacy. You can expect the PLA Navy to engage in naval exercises in the Red Sea and off North Africa.