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China-Middle East relations

China-Middle East relations
The latest news, analysis and opinion on China-Middle East relations. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Open Questions series

Scholar Jing Qian on right-sizing China’s economy in the age of Trump

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

US-China rivalry doesn’t have to be a zero-sum game: Jessica Chen Weiss

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

China’s rise, potential recession, no WWIII yet: 11 key interviews from 2024

Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Why eco-warrior Ma Jun sees hope for China’s role in Cop29 amid US uncertainty

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

Historian on why we aren’t heading towards WWIII yet and how wars have changed

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

China’s evolving role in Middle East conflicts, according to an academic

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Scholar Jing Qian on right-sizing China’s economy in the age of Trump

videocam
40
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

US-China rivalry doesn’t have to be a zero-sum game: Jessica Chen Weiss

videocam
29
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

China’s rise, potential recession, no WWIII yet: 11 key interviews from 2024

Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Why eco-warrior Ma Jun sees hope for China’s role in Cop29 amid US uncertainty

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4
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

Historian on why we aren’t heading towards WWIII yet and how wars have changed

videocam
32
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

China’s evolving role in Middle East conflicts, according to an academic

videocam
13
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez
MORE FROM THIS SERIES
South Korea’s K9 Thunder 155mm self-propelled howitzers now come with South Korean engines. Photo: AFP
China's military weapons

Round 1: China, South Korea in howitzer face-off at international weapons show

The weapon is playing a growing role in conflicts between official and non-state forces, particularly in the Middle East.

Iran

China still willing to boost Israel ties despite strains from Gaza conflict

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Israel-Gaza war

China reaffirms support for Palestinian state after Trump’s Gaza comments

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US-China trade war

At Davos, Saudi Arabia pitches itself as a new hub for Chinese investment

Saudi minister urges China ‘not to miss opportunities’ to invest in the Gulf state – and exploit its access to different markets.

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Saudi Arabia could become a new export hub for Chinese products. Photo: Xinhua
Israel-Gaza war

China keen to engage as Gaza war halts, but will US-Israel ties hinder efforts?

Top Chinese envoy’s trips to Israel and Palestine signal Beijing’s desire to play Middle East role, but it may face obstacles, analysts say.

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Israel-Gaza war

Editorial | Fragile ceasefire in Mideast at least offers a glimmer of hope

Tentative truce between Israel and Palestinian groups is a step in the right direction but many hurdles remain before true peace can prevail.

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Middle East

Opinion | Defying the US, China expands green energy ties in Middle East

The once-laughable notion of selling solar power in the Middle East is now a rich vein for China to strengthen its presence in the region.

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An aerial drone photo shows the fourth phase project of the Chinese-built Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai on September 2, 2024. Photo: Xinhua
Banking & finance

Chinese investment bank CICC cleared to operate in Dubai financial centre

Licence is ‘a big step forward’ for cross-border deals in the United Arab Emirates, CEO of Dubai Financial Services Authority says.

Xinjiang

China concerned by reports of Uygur militants given senior roles in Syrian army

Country’s UN ambassador Fu Cong says new government in Damascus must prevent terrorist forces from threatening other countries.

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Low-altitude economy

Chinese electric plane maker Rhyxeon targeting markets in Africa and Asia

The four-seat RX4E model is being targeted at countries with poor road infrastructure where it could have a wide range of uses.

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The four-seater electric airplane RX4E before its maiden flight in 2019. Photo: Handout
Banking & finance

Middle East funds drive 21% surge in sovereign investments in China

US$10.3 billion from state-owned investors flowed into China last year, 62 per cent of it from Persian Gulf nations, says Global SWF.

People visit the Yuyuan Garden Lantern Festival at Yuyuan Garden Mall in Shanghai on January 1, 2025. Photo: Xinhua
US-Iran tensions

Mideast and Trump front of mind as China, Iran foreign ministers meet

As Tehran’s proxies take big blows, the two sides find common ground on need for ceasefire in Gaza and help for Syria.

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Iran

China’s diplomatic clout in Mideast at risk as threats build around ally Iran

Trump factor and fall of Assad in Syria will force nations, including China, to reassess ties.

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Middle East

Opinion | Fall of Syria’s Assad narrows China’s diplomatic space in the Middle East

There is too much power in the hands of the US and regional actors like Turkey for China to play a key role.

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A man walks across from the embassy of China in the Syrian capital Damascus on December 12. Islamist-led rebels took Damascus in a lightning offensive on December 8, ousting Syrian president Bashar al-Assad and ending five decades of Baath rule in Syria. Photo: AFP

‘People are suffering’: China urged to play greater role in Middle East peace

More than 20 Arab diplomats meet Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing in call to help ease regional tensions.

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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (front row, centre) with diplomats from several Arab nations in Beijing on Thursday. Photo: EPA-EFE
Syria

China warns leaders in Syria not to threaten security elsewhere

Chinese envoy addresses UN briefing days after Turkestan Islamic Party publishes video encouraging Xinjiang Muslims to wage jihad.

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Israel-Gaza war

Palestinian rescuers see China’s Blue Sky amid bomb blasts of Israel-Gaza war

China’s Blue Sky Rescue has been helping train Palestinians in urban search and rescue operations in bid to help save more lives.

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Middle East

China urges efforts to curb Syria’s further descent and refugee crisis

Foreign Minister Wang Yi says Palestinian issue must not be ignored and ‘Middle East should not remain a victim of great power rivalries’.

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Syria has been of low strategic and economic interest to China, say analysts who expect Beijing will not seek a role in shaping the country post-Assad. Photo: Reuters
Fostering UAE-China relations

United Arab Emirates and China explore new ways of collaboration to foster economic growth

The inaugural UAE-China Investment Summit at Abu Dhabi Finance Week celebrates 40 years of bilateral relations between the nations.

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Abu Dhabi Finance Week
Diplomacy

Editorial | China can reach out to Syria once world gets right message

Dramatic end of the Bashar al-Assad regime puts onus on victorious rebel group to bring stability to war-torn country.

China faces test in Syria ties after Beijing-friendly Bashar al-Assad flees

With rebel groups in charge in Damascus, China faces uncertainty over bilateral relations, investment and extremism in Middle Eastern nation.

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Smoke billows as people arrive to celebrate the fall of the Syrian government, in Damascus, Syria on Sunday. Photo: AP

As Assad regime falls, China urges Syria to ensure safety of Chinese nationals

Chinese embassy remains open in Damascus and Beijing is monitoring developments.

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Rebels riding on the back of a vehicle celebrate after Syrian rebels captured the city of Damascus on Sunday. Photo: EPA-EFE
Syria

Chinese embassy in Syria urges citizens to evacuate as civil war reignites

The warning comes as rebels, led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, capture major cities Aleppo and Hama.

Middle East

Iran’s president vows greater cooperation with China and Russia

President Masoud Pezeshkian tells visiting Chinese Vice-Premier Zhang Guoqing Tehran is committed to their 25-year deal.

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Israel-Gaza war

China urges Iran to avoid military moves as Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire nears

Chinese envoy expresses concern over escalating Middle East conflicts as Israel and Iran-backed militant group mull truce.

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China’s special envoy for Middle East affairs Zhai Jun (right) meets Iranian ambassador to China Mohsen Bakhtiyar (left) on Monday in Beijing. Photo: Chinese Foreign Ministry
US-China relations

China slams US for blocking Gaza ceasefire resolution at UN Security Council

China’s top UN envoy says US veto has ‘shattered the Gazan people’s hope for survival’ as war rages on in Palestinian enclave.

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A Palestinian boy stands on the rubble of a house destroyed in Israel’s military offensive in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip on October 7. Photo: Reuters

China reaffirms support for Saudi-Iran ties ‘across various fields’ in Riyadh

Senior diplomats jointly call for ‘immediate end’ to Israel’s military operations in Gaza and Lebanon and condemn its strikes on Iran.

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International Property

Citic enlarges Saudi Arabia footprint with 3,500-flat Riyadh project

The project, also called Khuzam Hills, comprises several phases, the first of which is scheduled for delivery in 2026, according to the website of Citic’s partner Rafal.

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