Analysis Looking East: How Iran is leveraging Asia ties to offset Western pressure With sanctions still in place and nuclear talks stalled, Iran is using its SCO membership to forge economic and strategic ties across Central and South Asia. By Sabena Siddiqui In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran
Iran oil exports to China fall sharply amid US sanctions, weakened demand China is by far Iran’s largest customer for oil, snapping up around 90% of the Islamic Republic’s shipments. Iran
China expands visa-free policy to Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait During a landmark summit in Malaysia, China announced an exemption for nationals from Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait from the need for entry visas. China
Gulf states court China, ASEAN at landmark Malaysia summit: What to know The Gulf Cooperation Council’s summit with the Southeast Asia bloc was expanded to include China, bringing the emir of Qatar and Saudi Arabia’s top diplomat to Malaysia. Qatar
Analysis Trump promises arms sales to the Gulf, but can he deliver? By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Analysis With US-Saudi defense pact stalled, Trump eyes civilian nuclear deal By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
China's Nio electric vehicle maker gets $2.2 billion from UAE investment firm Nio is seeking money from the Middle East due to its financial struggles. Legacy: Gulf
China-Saudi Investment Conference begins in Beijing China is Saudi Arabia’s largest trading partner and biggest customer of its primary commodity: crude oil. Saudi Arabia
Saudi PIF ups investment in China’s Alibaba-backed tech fund eWTP Arabia Capital invests in energy and technology start-ups across the Middle East, North Africa and Asia. Saudi Arabia
China, Egypt send jointly made MisrSat-2 satellite into orbit The MisrSat-2 was assembled inside Egypt with Chinese support, making it the first Egyptian-made satellite. Egypt
How significant is Aras corridor for Iran, Azerbaijan to gain Black Sea foothold? A railway agreement in October between Iran and Azerbaijan has given a major boost to the potential of establishing the Aras corridor, offering Tehran a potential inroad into the Black Sea. By Rahim Rahimov In Baku, reporting on Middle East-Caucasus ties
UAE-China ink multibillion-dollar deals as ties grow The United Arab Emirates and China are major trade partners and have strengthened cooperation in both finance and energy in recent months. Legacy: Gulf
What $6.9B China-Saudi currency swap means for Beijing’s efforts to globalize yuan China’s increasing economic influence and the high price of the US dollar, which has increased amid increasing interest rates to tame inflation, have led some economies to switch to cheaper yuan-denominated transactions. Saudi Arabia
China hosts Arab FMs, pushes ‘justice and fairness’ in Israeli-Palestinian conflict The Arab-Muslim delegation stopped in China on the first leg of a tour aimed at shoring up support for an immediate end to hostilities in the Gaza Strip. Palestine
Why is Saudi Arabia eyeing partnership with China in Pakistan refinery project? As Islamabad looks to bring in more foreign investment from the Gulf, Saudi Arabia is looking to China for partnership in a key refinery in Pakistan. Legacy: Gulf
Russia and China big participants at Dubai Airshow At this year's event, the UAE is balancing friendly relations with the United States as well as with China and Russia, including via the BRICS alliance. Legacy: Gulf
In first, Bahrain asset manager targets up to $550 million in China yuan fund Gulf buyers have announced 13 acquisitions of public and private Chinese companies so far in 2023, compared to just one in the same period of last year, according to data compiled by LSEG. Bahrain
US sanctions UAE, Turkey, China firms for allegedly aiding Russia in Ukraine The move targets the development of Russia’s defense and technology sectors and aims to weaken it in its war against Ukraine. United Arab Emirates
