About the Author:

Zhang Dandan is an associate professor at the School of Foreign Languages, Northwestern Polytechnical University, and a graduate supervisor. Her main research areas include the protection of overseas interests and China’s Middle East diplomacy. She has led research projects such as a general grant for postdoctoral research and a general project of the National Social Science Fund, and has participated in major and key National Social Science Fund projects. She has published one English-language monograph (co-authored) and two translated works, and has contributed as a co-author to several “blue book” publications on China–Middle East relations. She has also published more than ten articles in leading academic journals.

Summary:

Coordinating Mechanisms: A Study of the Theory and Practice of China’s Consular Protection in the Middle East offers an in-depth analysis of one of the key directions of contemporary Chinese foreign policy: the system for protecting Chinese citizens and companies overseas. The author argues that consular protection should not be viewed merely as an emergency measure, but as an integral component of China’s global interests, security concepts, and foreign-policy strategy.

The book’s central concept is “mechanism coordination” (机制统筹), referring to systematic cooperation among central and local governments, diplomatic missions, security institutions, business actors, and public organizations. According to the author, the effectiveness of consular protection in a complex and unstable region such as the Middle East depends precisely on this integrated approach.

The study details China’s practical experience in the region, including the evacuation from Libya, terrorism risks in areas around Somalia, protection of the rights of citizens and companies in Dubai, and the organization of special protection measures during the Hajj in Mecca. These cases illustrate the evolution of China’s consular services and a shift from a “diplomacy for the state” model toward a “diplomacy for the people” principle.

Overall, the book combines theoretical framing with applied case analysis and explains how state mechanisms are being refined under conditions of expanding global interests and heightened security challenges.