China in the Mideast

Chengdu J-10 Vigorous Dragon fighter aircraft of China's Ba Yi (August 1st) Aerobatics Team release smoke while performing manoeuvres during the first Egypt International Airshow at Alamein International Airport in Alamein in northern Egypt on September 4, 2024. (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP) (Photo by KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images)

China, Egypt to hold first air force drill as military ties grow: What to know

The exercise scheduled for mid-April comes as Egypt-China ties are growing both militarily and economically despite US pressure on Cairo.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi review the honour guard during a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on May 29, 2024. Several Arab leaders are this week visiting Beijing, which is seeking to present a "common voice" on the conflict between Israel and Hamas and improve cooperation. (Photo by TINGSHU WANG / POOL / AFP) (Photo by TINGSHU WANG/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

From Rafales to railways: Egypt walks tightrope between China, West

While Chinese investments reshape Egypt’s economy, structural trade imbalances and conflicting regional interests highlight the limits of this “golden decade” of cooperation

Dale Aluf

In Amsterdam, reporting on China in the Middle East

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (R) and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi pose for a photo before their meeting in Tehran on November 14, 2024. (Photo by Atta KENARE / AFP) (Photo by ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images)

IAEA’s Grossi to visit Tehran ahead of second round of US-Iran nuclear talks

The IAEA chief’s visit comes just days after nuclear talks between the US and Iran and less than a week after a senior Iranian official threatened to halt compliance with the nuclear watchdog.

GREG BAKER/AFP via Getty Images

China courts Gulf, BRICS allies as trade war with US escalates

Since US President Donald Trump announced reciprocal tariffs on more than 180 countries on April 2, Beijing has stepped up engagement with Riyadh.

Latest News

Iran oil exports to China soar in March to 1.9M bpd despite US sanctions

AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

As China opens to Sharaa, Uyghurs and reconstruction shadow future ties with Syria

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa meets with Chinese Ambassador to Damascus Shi Hongwei on Feb. 22, 2025.

By Rosaleen Carroll

In Washington, DC, US, reporting on the Middle East

Egypt, China ink $1.65B deal for steel factories in Suez: What we know

China's President Xi Jinping (L) shakes hands with Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi

US slaps sanctions on Iran's oil tankers, targets China 'teapot' refinery

The Iranian-flagged oil tanker Fortune is docked at the El Palito refinery after its arrival to Puerto Cabello in the northern state of Carabobo, Venezuela, on May 25, 2020.

met with Chen Wenqing, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Head of the Commission for Political and Legal Affairs of the CPC Central Committee, in Beijing

Turkey’s Fidan arrives on first visit to China, will travel to Uyghur region

Fidan is also slated to travel to the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, in the first high-level visit to the region since 2012.

The Sudanese (L) and Saudi flag are seeing flying on the tarmac during a joint Sudan and Saudi Arabia air force drill at the Marwa air base, near Meroe some 350 kilometres north of Khartoum, on April 9, 2017.

Analysis

Can Gulf investors outstrip China in Africa as UAE expands reach?

As the UAE, Saudi Arabia and other GCC states boost investments in Africa,Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative could face serious challenges.

Sabena Siddiqui

By Sabena Siddiqui

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

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

US reportedly slows AI chip exports to Mideast as Saudi Arabia turns to China

Washington has further restricted imports of critical components for AI systems to certain countries, including some undisclosed ones in the Middle East.

Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa (front row, 4th-L), Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (front row, 5th-L) China's President Xi Jinping (front row, 5th-R), United Arab Emirates' President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (front row, 4th-R), Tunisia's President Kais Saied (front row, 3rd-R) and delegations pose for a family photo ahead of the opening ceremony of the 10th Ministerial Meeting of China-Arab States Cooperation Forum at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, May 30, 2024, Beijing, China.

China's largest Arab summit wraps with 'Beijing declaration': What we know

The meeting in Beijing in the presence of Arab leaders comes as the war in Gaza rages on, while China seeks a wider role in the region.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) walks next to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi as they review the honour guard during a welcome ceremony for Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi at the Great Hall of the People on May 29, 2024, in Beijing, China.

Egypt's Sisi gets red-carpet welcome in China, discusses infrastructure projects

Beijing is hosting leaders from Egypt, the Gulf and Syria this week for the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum, another example of strengthening ties.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

India's prime minister, Narendra Modi, and his Saudi Arabia counterpart and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (L) shake hands during a session of the G20 Leaders' Summit at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on Sept. 9, 2023.

Analysis

Gaza war complicates IMEC plans even as Gulf-India ties warm

The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor's progress is facing some difficulties related to geopolitical complexities, funding and conflicts in the Red Sea and Gaza.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

PAU BARRENA/AFP via Getty Images

Huawei launches Egypt public cloud service as China ties grow

Last September, Huawei announced that it would pump $430 million into North Africa to build the firm's first cloud center there as well as train thousands of developers and tech specialists.

Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi welcomed by his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Beijing, China on Feb. 14, 2023.

Analysis

After Raisi's death, China looks for answers on Iran's Khamenei succession

Raisi was hailed as a "good friend" of China and while his death is unlikely to stir those ties, Beijing is keeping watch of the race in Iran to succeed Khamenei.

Yun Sun

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

People look at a BYD Seal car by Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer BYD Auto at the Bangkok International Motor Show in Nonthaburi, March 27, 2024.

Turkey-China in 'advanced' talks on EV manufacturing as Beijing footprint grows

Turkey and the Gulf states are aggressively pursuing electric vehicles with entities eyeing cooperation with China.

A military band welcomed the President with the Russian national anthem, and the Russian tricolor was hoisted over Tiananmen Square.

Saudi cautious as Iran looks to make gains from Putin’s China visit

As Putin was making his way to Beijing, Alexie Miller, chair of Russia’s Gazprom, was in Tehran, where he met First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber and Oil Minister Javad Owji, the company said.

Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas shakes hands with China's President Xi Jinping after a signing ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on June 14, 2023. (Photo by Jade GAO / POOL / AFP) (Photo by JADE GAO/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

With second meeting in June, China finds opportunity in Hamas-Fatah talks

China is increasingly seeing Hamas as a legitimate political force in the political process on Palestine’s future and statehood, refusing to condemn or describe the group as a terrorist organization.

A motorcyclist rides past a high school at Panjgur district in Balochistan province on Jan. 17, 2024.

Analysis

China wades into Iran-Pakistan mediation, eyes infrastructure projects

With trilateral action, Beijing hopes to collectively combat terror groups trying to disrupt its mega-project, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Sabena Siddiqui

By Sabena Siddiqui

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