China in the Mideast

This aerial photo shows a tanker unloading imported crude oil at a terminal port in Qingdao, in China's eastern Shandong province on June 25, 2026. (Photo by CN-STR / AFP via Getty Images) / China OUT

China cuts deal with Houthis, adjusts for long US war with Iran

China is cutting its own deals and gaining wartime leverage as the Trump administration scrambles to contain the war and reopen Hormuz.

AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP via Getty Images

Iran signs 25 deals at SCO meeting: What to know

Iran's foreign minister urged members of the China and Russia-led bloc to focus more on economic development, while host Kyrgyzstan said progress was a made toward an SCO development blank.

China Oman mtg

Analysis

As US ties fray, top Oman official visits China: What to know

For Oman, recalibrating its ties with Washington after the Iran war means diversifying its partnerships — leaning more on European allies like France and deepening its relationship with China.

Joyce Karam

By Joyce Karam , Rosaleen Carroll

BEIJING, CHINA - MAY 14: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (R) shake hands with Omar Seddik, Sudan's newly appointed foreign minister before their meeting during the China-CELAC Forum at Diaoyutai State Guest House on May 14, 2025 in Beijing, China. The summit includes China's key Latin American trade partners, and comes as Beijing and Washington work on defusing a trade war. (Photo by Florence Lo - Pool/Getty Images)

Explainer

China expands Sudan footprint through ports, debt relief, mining

Reports have emerged of a potential $300 million copper mining deal between the Sudanese government and a Chinese company.

Latest News

US strikes strategic railway bridge linking Iran to China: What to know

(Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP via Getty Images) /

Sudan, China ink memorandum to develop seaports: What to know

A general view shows docked ships at the harbor of the Sudanese city of Port Sudan, on April 27, 2021.

Explainer

Saudi FM concludes China visit amid Trump-MBS friction: What to know

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi (R) shakes hands with Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud before a family photo for the attendees of a meeting of foreign ministers from Arab and Muslim-majority nations at the Diaoyutai State Guest House in Beijing on November 20, 2023. The international community must take urgent action to stop the "humanitarian disaster" unfolding in Gaza, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told visiting diplomats from Arab and Muslim-majority nations on Novembe

Saudi Arabia's FM heads to China amid differences with US on Iran war

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Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani (L) meets with Chinese ambassador to Damascus Shi Hongwei in Damascus on July 29, 2025.

China envoy, Syria FM meet as Uyghur militant concerns slow reconstruction ties

China and Syria remain at an impasse as Beijing remains wary of Uyghur militants’ integration into Syrian forces, while Syria, wary of alienating fighters who helped secure its recent military victories, seeks a compromise that won’t undermine the new government’s stability.

Kuwaits Deputy Defense Minister Sheikh Abdullah Meshal AlSabah (3rd from L) at an event hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Kuwait City, July 29, 2025.

Analysis

As Kuwait modernizes military, will China rival US as key defense partner?

Kuwait and China are finalizing a joint ammunition factory as the Gulf state maintains its longstanding US security alliance.

Sabena Siddiqui

By Sabena Siddiqui

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

A ship loaded with oil docks at a pier with the help of a tugboat at the port of Qingdao, in eastern China's Shandong province on June 12, 2025.

China's oil imports fall 5.4% as Iranian flows recede from June highs

US President Donald Trump has intensified pressure on Iran’s economy, clamping down on its oil sector, a critical component of the state budget.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian attends his first press conference, after taking office. on September 16, 2024 in Tehran, Iran.

Iran’s president to visit Armenia, China: What to know

Tehran is looking to strengthen ties with regional and Asian powers as Western sanctions continue to squeeze its economy.

Jens Schlueter/Getty Images

Chinese company to build Oman's first green hydrogen plant: What to know

The plant in Duqm plans to produce 1 million metric tons of green hydrogen per year by 2030.

Syria's interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa holds a joint press conference with the Turkish president following their meeting at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, on Feb. 4, 2025.

As Trump warms to Syria, US pushes UN to lift Sharaa sanctions

The move comes as Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa prepares to attend the UN General Assembly in New York next month.

A screengrab depicting Joe Kent participating in a congressional debate on Oct. 14, 2024.

US Senate approves Joe Kent as US counterterrorism chief: What to know

Kent’s nomination raised alarm among Democrats due to his history of promoting right-wing conspiracy theories and recent efforts to pressure a senior intelligence official to revise an assessment that contradicted Trump administration narratives.

A train moves during the inauguration of a 140-kilometer line running from eastern Iran into western Afghanistan, at a railroad station in Khaf, on Dec. 10, 2020.

China steps in to help electrify Iran’s railways: What to know

Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref met with members of the Iran-China Joint Chamber of Commerce on Monday as ties grow.

Men inspect an electric car at a showroom in Riyadh on June 8, 2024.

Interview

Growing Chinese competition in Mideast car market 'key challenge,' Ford says

Chinese automotive companies are increasing their market share and are projected to capture 34% of the Middle East and Africa market by 2030, according to one analysis.

Ravi Ravichandran

Ravi Ravichandran

President of Ford Middle East and North Africa

HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Can Turkey become BYD’s back door to Europe as China reroutes EV strategy?

Chinese electric car company BYD’s accelerating plans in Turkey may mark a turning point in its push into Europe as competition with Tesla shifts gears.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

BEIJING, CHINA - MAY 30: Chinese President Xi Jinping and United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan review the honour guard during a welcome ceremony at The Great Hall of People on May 30, 2024 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Tingshu Wang - Pool/Getty Images)

UAE’s AD Ports Group opens first China office: What to know

UAE-China trade relations are on the rise amid persistent US scrutiny over sensitive technology.

United Arab Emirates

This handout photo made available by the Iranian Army Office on March 12, 2025, shows navy personnel saluting aboard a Chinese military ship during a joint Iranian-Russian-Chinese drill in the Gulf of Oman.

Iran, Russia launch naval drills ahead of trilateral nuclear talks with China

Naval forces from Iran and Russia begin joint military drills in the Caspian Sea, reflecting deepening ties between the two countries that come just weeks after Iran’s 12-day war with Israel and the collapse of nuclear talks with the United States.