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China-Middle East relations

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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

Wu Shicun on why Beijing will not rule out Scarborough Shoal construction

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Zheng Yongnian on what US’ ‘neocolonialism’, Venezuela operation mean for China

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Liu Qian on Chinese innovation, the US rivalry and women holding up half the sky

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia

Fuchsia Dunlop tells how she fell for China’s cuisine and names her perfect dish

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

80 years on from WWII, China’s interests lie in peaceful Asia-Pacific: Mitter

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

‘Delusional’: Jeffrey Sachs on why Western hegemony has ended

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Illustration: Henry Wong

Wu Shicun on why Beijing will not rule out Scarborough Shoal construction

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28
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Zheng Yongnian on what US’ ‘neocolonialism’, Venezuela operation mean for China

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13
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Liu Qian on Chinese innovation, the US rivalry and women holding up half the sky

7
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia

Fuchsia Dunlop tells how she fell for China’s cuisine and names her perfect dish

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5
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

80 years on from WWII, China’s interests lie in peaceful Asia-Pacific: Mitter

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18
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

‘Delusional’: Jeffrey Sachs on why Western hegemony has ended

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93
Illustration: Henry Wong
MORE FROM THIS SERIES
A drone view shows vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, on June 15. Two summits in five months between US President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping have produced shared language but not an open Strait of Hormuz. Photo: Reuters
Middle East

Opinion | It’s time for China to offer more than statements on Hormuz

Beijing does not need to replace Washington as a security guarantor, but it can use its unique access to resolve the crisis.

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Iraq

What role will China play in Iraq as US wraps up military mission?

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Mainland China

How closer China-US ties – and more Xi-Trump summits – could work in Iran’s favour

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Pakistan

Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia test limits of Mecca regional security pact

Turkey and Pakistan are unlikely to intervene despite the deal’s terms, which could hobble its deterrent effect, analysts say.

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Supporters of Yemen’s Houthi rebels at a rally in support of the group in Sanaa, Yemen, on September 18. Photo: AP
Middle East

Chinese firms keen on Oman’s International Financial Centre: official

Neutrality amid US-Israel war on Iran cited as an advantage, as well as location of ports away from Strait of Hormuz.

China-Iran relations

China affirms support for Iran, but warns against Yemen spillover

In talks with his Iranian counterpart in Beijing, Foreign Minister Wang Yi calls on Tehran and Washington to stay rational.

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Belt and Road 2026

Ancient Silk Road to modern Belt and Road: how Hong Kong bridges China and the Middle East

As the Middle East seeks economic diversification, Hong Kong acts as the financial gateway for investment.

In 2025, the Middle East was Hong Kong’s 10th largest trading partner, with bilateral trade in goods of HK$192.8 billion, making it a significant stand in the various t rade networks that make up the Belt and Road Initiative. Photo: Karim Sahib, AFP
US, Israel war on Iran

Iran’s top diplomat heads to China for talks as Mideast diplomacy falters

The Strait of Hormuz remains closed and fighting has flared again in Yemen as Abbas Araghchi and Wang Yi prepare to meet.

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China's military weapons

Has a Chinese DF missile been used for the first time in the Middle East?

Video of a DF-15A rocket motor in Marib hints at secret arms deliveries as Saudi-Houthi fighting escalates.

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Transport and logistics

Qatar seeks stronger logistics ties with China amid trade disruption

Qatar logistics firm says Chinese businesses need local infrastructure and operating partners as they move into warehousing, fulfilment and sales.

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Khalifa al-Thani, co-founder and CEO of logistics solutions company WareOne, speaks during the Web Summit Qatar 2026. Photo: Sportsfile via Getty Images
Asian cinema: Chinese films

Review | Once Upon a Time in the Middle East: Shen Teng leads anti-war blockbuster

Full of roaring action and heart-wrenching tension, this mainland China hit delivers a message of peace through Chinese cooking appreciation.

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Shen Teng in a still from Once Upon a Time in the Middle East (category IIB; Chinese, English, Arabic), directed by Wen Muye. Jiang Qiming and Omar Sherif co-star.
Kuwait

Qatar’s PM vows to prioritise China’s energy supply amid Middle East tensions

Meeting in Beijing concludes official state visit as two sides stress importance of unimpeded maritime traffic through Strait of Hormuz.

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China's military weapons

Chinese PLA aircraft to headline Egypt air show in display of export potential

No official word on which equipment will feature, but event comes just days after the end of a joint drill between the armed forces.

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Iran

China vows deeper cooperation with Qatar in energy and Middle East de-escalation

Li Qiang makes pledge during meeting with Qatari prime minister visiting on official two-day state visit in Beijing on Monday.

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Chinese Premier Li Qiang met Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in Beijing on Monday. Photo: Reuters
China-Africa relations

China’s call for Mideast to build security framework is a message to US: expert

Beijing gives weight to Cairo’s water security but China’s president does not criticise Ethiopia or its Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping (left) meets Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi for their meeting in Cairo, Egypt, on Wednesday. Photo: Xinhua
China trade

What Xi’s tour of Egypt and Central Asia reveals about China’s trade strategy

Presidential tour highlights strategy of shifting manufacturing abroad, shielding domestic exporters from growing global barriers.

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SCO

SCO takes landmark stand on nuclear security as Iran comes under renewed attack

The bloc underscores members’ rights to peaceful nuclear development in broader pushback at Western powers, analyst says.

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Diplomacy

Opinion | The significance of China’s joint air force drills with Egypt

As recent air drills in Egypt indicate, after decades of building economic interests abroad, China is developing the ability to put military power behind them.

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Illustration: Henry Wong
SCO

Xi makes world tour ahead of White House summit

Chinese President Xi Jinping is meeting leaders from across the Global South ahead of a probable summit with US leader Donald Trump.

China's military weapons

Export potential? Chinese YY-20 refuels Egyptian Rafale in cross-platform drill

PLA tanker aircraft shows versatility in Egypt exercise, highlighting interoperability that could boost global sales prospects.

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China-Africa relations

Xi’s Cairo trip marks ‘best ties in history’ as Egypt seeks to balance West

Chinese president’s visit comes amid expanding Suez investment and joint air force exercises.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping will once again meet Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi when he arrives in Cairo this week following his trip to Kyrgyzstan for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit. Photo: Xinhua
US, Israel war on Iran

China’s Middle East policy at a crossroads 6 months into US-Israeli war on Iran

Gulf states are rethinking their strategy after coming under attack, but observers say Beijing does not want to commit itself too deeply.

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Smoke billows over the town of Mangaf, south of Kuwait City, following an Iranian strike in June. Photo: AFP
Open Questions series

Open Questions | Iran expert on China’s balancing act amid conflict with US and Israel

Trita Parsi of the Quincy Institute says Beijing was wise to stay out of the US-Israeli war on Iran, which he believes could spark up again.

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Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong lawmaker urges firms to expand into emerging markets amid US visa pause

Jonathan Lamport tells SCMP the local business community is closely monitoring whether business visa processing, approvals will be affected.

Middle East

Opinion | Could Mecca defence pact be first step to new Middle East order?

As security deal shakes up calculations for the US, China and Russia, a regional order shaped by regional states is no longer unthinkable.

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez
China’s air force

China’s J-16s face off against Egypt’s Rafales in combat drills as Iran war rumbles on

PLA pilots test strategic reach in 6,000km mission as Middle East conflict pushes Cairo and Beijing closer.

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Chinese fighter jets have returned to Egypt for combat training with their Egyptian counterparts in a joint exercise. Photo: CCTV
Xi Jinping

China and Jordan call for Strait of Hormuz to get back to normal

The two sides also criticised Israel’s ‘dangerous escalatory actions’ following King Abdullah’s meeting with Xi Jinping in Beijing.

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US-China relations

US pushes China to back its ‘most crushing economic operation’ against Iran

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent tells Beijing to ‘get with the programme’ and support Washington’s campaign to isolate Iran economically.

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