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Great Hall of the People, China

China

January 19, 2025

Beijing 2:58 am

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US President Donald Trump welcomes Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of Abu Dhabi, for a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House, Washington, May 15, 2017.

Analysis

Will Trump tariffs on China impact Middle East and North Africa?

Universal tariffs could ensnare some US-MENA trade, but potential global economic turmoil might also provide states in the region with opportunities to diversify trade relations.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi looks on during a meeting between the top diplomats of Iraq, Syria and Iran at the Iraqi Foreign Ministry, in Baghdad, on Dec. 6, 2024.

Iran’s foreign minister lands in China amid regional and domestic turmoil

The Iranian foreign minister arrived in China on Friday as Iran seeks stability after the weakening of its proxy network, particularly Hezbollah, the fall of Syria’s Assad and its own domestic crises.

China's President Xi Jinping (R) and Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shake hands ahead of their talks at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on March 21, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / POOL / Etienne Oliveau (Photo credit should read ETIENNE OLIVEAU/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Why China’s new ambassador to Israel marks shift in Middle East focus

China’s appointment of Xiao Junzheng as ambassador signals a strategic shift aimed to improve ties with Israel. Xiao’s Middle East expertise highlights Beijing’s evolving approach amid regional and bilateral tensions.

Yun Sun

In Washington, DC, reporting on China-Middle East ties

BEIJING, CHINA - NOVEMBER 9: Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump attend a welcoming ceremony November 9, 2017 in Beijing, China. Trump is on a 10-day trip to Asia. (Photo by Thomas Peter-Pool/Getty Images)

Analysis

How will Trump's return affect US-Middle East-China strategic triangle?

As Trump threatens tariffs and harsher policies on Beijing, China could seek to deepen its commercial ties in the Middle East.

Dale Aluf

In Amsterdam, reporting on China in the Middle East

Latest News

Analysis

In Syria, China not beholden to Assad but alarmed over Uyghur links to HTS

Visiting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad (R) and his wife, Asma, (C) visit the Great Wall near Beijing, on June 22, 2004, during the Middle East leader's first full day in the Chinese capital.

Joyce Karam

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional geopolitics, China in the Middle East

Senior China delegation in Iran to discuss 'strategic partnership,' economic ties

Senior Iranian and Chinese officials held talks in Tehran on expanding bilateral ties in various areas, particularly in the economic field.

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Analysis

Iran looks to invest $6B in Afghanistan as route to China: What to know

Afghan workers carry flour sacks off a freight train upon its arrival from Uzbekistan, at the border station in Hairatan, Balkh Province, March 5, 2024.

Sabena Siddiqui

By Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

China's Xi Jingping in Morocco as Beijing eyes bigger role in Africa's infrastructure boom

Xi Jinping president of China waves during the first working session as part of the G20 summit 2024 at Museu de Arte Moderna on Nov. 18, 2024, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Jack Dutton

Chief Business Correspondent

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Harry Clynch

In London, reporting on Middle East economics

Benjamin Houghton

In Durham, reporting on China in the Middle East

Yun Sun

In Washington, DC, reporting on China-Middle East ties

Yuka Ando

Dale Aluf

In Amsterdam, reporting on China in the Middle East

Chinese President Xi Jinping (shakes hands with Saudi Arabian Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud at the G20 Summit on Sept. 4, 2016, in Hangzhou, China.

Saudi Arabia, Iran, China slam Israel at Riyadh meeting: What we know

The China-Saudi Arabia-Iran Trilateral Joint Committee met for the second time in the Saudi capital, more than a year after the Chinese-brokered deal that resumed relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Trump China

Analysis

China not surprised by Donald Trump's win, sees Middle East opening

Trump's expected heavy focus on conflicts and hostility to Iran, grant China an opening when it comes to international diplomacy and expanding its ties in the Middle East.

Joyce Karam

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional geopolitics, China in the Middle East

US President Donald Trump (L) speaks with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (C) as Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (R), Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (2nd R) and Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May smile during a family photo session at the G20 Summit in Osaka on June 28, 2019. (Photo by KIM KYUNG-HOON / POOL / AFP) (Photo credit should read KIM KYUNG-HOON/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Beyond congratulations, Trump faces changed, eastward-looking Gulf

Gulf states are familiar with Donald Trump and his transactional nature but have also managed to forge their own regional alliances over the last four years.

Jennifer Gnana

By Jennifer Gnana

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images

China to issue up to $2B in bonds in Saudi Arabia as business ties deepen

The two countries have been deepening economic and trade ties to help each other meet strategic initiatives such as China’s Belt and Road Initiative with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan.

Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign event on food security in a barn on the Smith Family Farm on September 23, 2024 in Smithton, Pennsylvania. The event, hosted by the Protecting America Initiative, led by former Trump acting director of national intelligence Richard Grenell, highlighted China ownership of nearly 250,000 acres of U.S. land, slightly less than 1% of foreign-held acreage. (Photo by Jeff Swensen/Getty Images)

Analysis

In Middle East, China's influence unconstrained by Trump, Harris

In theory, Beijing may favor the predictability of Harris over the uncertainty of Trump. But in practice, China did exceedingly well in the Middle East during Trump’s presidency and has successfully navigated challenges under the Biden-Harris administration

Joyce Karam

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional geopolitics, China in the Middle East

BEIJING, CHINA - MARCH 17: Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (2nd-L) meets with Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (2nd-R) at Great Hall of the People on March 17, 2017 in Beijing, China. At the invitation of President Xi Jinping, King Salman Bin Abdul-Aaziz Al-Saud of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will pay a state visit to China from March 15 to 18, 2017. (Photo by Lintao Zhang - Pool/Getty Images)

In first, Saudi Arabia to begin trading China-focused ETF: What we know

The ETF, which will begin trading on the Saudi Stock Exchange, has raised more than $1.2 billion.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin meets with the heads of leading media outlets from the BRICS member countries in the Moscow region, on Oct. 18, 2024.

Russia's BRICS summit: Gulf states seek influence as Iran, UAE debut as members

Saudi Arabia’s crown prince will not be in attendance but has sent his foreign minister. Expansion of the group and adoption of a new currency are on the three-day agenda.

United Arab Emirates

China's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Mao Ning, attends a press conference at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing on Jan. 15, 2024.

Analysis

What to make of China's softening rhetoric on Israel, Gaza war

China appears to be softening its criticisms of Israel's conduct in the Israel-Hamas war and the conflict in Lebanon. Why the change of tune?

Dale Aluf

In Amsterdam, reporting on China in the Middle East

A high-speed Al-Boraq train at Casablanca Casa Voyageurs train station on March 15, 2019.

Analysis

What's behind China's deepening engagement with Morocco?

Morocco is becoming increasingly attractive to Chinese investors for a variety of reasons.

Sabena Siddiqui

By Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

European Union flags fly outside the European Commission building in Brussels on April 12, 2024.

Turkey: Support for EU on rise as trust of US, China, Russia remains low

A recent survey reveals an increase in favorability for the EU and NATO in Turkey, while perceptions of the United States, China and Russia continue to falter.

An employee works on a steel wheel production line at a factory in Qingzhou, in eastern China's Shandong province on Sept. 27, 2024.

Turkey slaps steel tariffs on China, India, Russia, Japan as trade tensions soar

The move follows China filing a complaint against Turkey at the World Trade Organization over Turkish tariffs on imports of electric vehicles.

Tingshu Wang/Getty Images

UAE’s AD Ports Group inks major deal with China

Political and economic cooperation between the United Arab Emirates and China is growing, with robust trade ties and a visit by the Chinese premier to the Gulf state.

United Arab Emirates