SINGAPORE—China sought to pitch itself as a friendlier global power to governments in the Middle East this week. Yet its reluctance to offer a security presence is limiting Beijing’s influence in the region.

       Chinese leader Xi Jinping hosted senior officials from Arab nations—including the leaders of Egypt and the United Arab Emirates—for a China-Arab states conference in Beijing on Thursday. With the Biden administration facing heavy domestic and international criticism over its handling of the Gaza war, China sees an opportunity to promote its brand of foreign policy to leaders in the region.

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