Analysis China gets around Iran blockade as Gulf courts Beijing Beijing is responding to the Iran war on two fronts: economically, sustaining Iranian oil flows and its Strait of Hormuz routes despite the US blockade; and diplomatically, deepening ties with Gulf states. By Joyce Karam
China signals bigger Gulf role as UAE crown prince visits Beijing China, which maintains close ties with both Iran and Gulf states, is hosting one of the UAE's top officials this week as a fragile ceasefire in the region holds. China
As US blockades Hormuz, China urges restraint, rejects call to ditch Iran oil Beijing and Ankara called for calm as the US began its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz as regional diplomacy over the fragile ceasefire intensifies. Iran
Analysis Sanctions relief, Pakistan role propel China backing of Iran-US ceasefire The US–Iran truce boosts Pakistan — one of China’s closest partners — by elevating its role as a mediator and strengthening a regional balance that favors Beijing’s allies. By Joyce Karam , Rosaleen Carroll
China’s Xi heads to Saudi Arabia, adding strain to US ties Xi's visit to Saudi, the first in six years, will include two summits with Arab and GCC leaders and could see an agreement on nuclear technology Legacy: Gulf
Egypt seeks to attract Chinese mobile companies fleeing India Egypt is trying to take advantage of the crisis between Chinese smartphone companies and India by providing incentives to such companies to lure them into investing in the Egyptian market. Egypt
Why Erdogan’s Shanghai ambitions are risky business President Erdogan’s statement that NATO-member Turkey is targeting membership in the Shanghai club is more geared toward domestic consumption than reality, particularly after a top Russian diplomat said NATO and the SCO are incompatible. Turkey
China’s NWTN to build electric vehicle facility in Abu Dhabi The deal represents the UAE’s push toward green technology, as well as China’s growing influence in the wider region. Legacy: Gulf
Egypt-Chinese consortium to run terminals in Red Sea, Mediterranean ports The Egyptian government signed new concessions with a Chinese alliance to build and operate two world-class container terminals in the ports of Sokhna and Dekhila, as part of a container logistics project to link the Red and Mediterranean seas. Egypt
Iran, Russia use own currencies for trade Saudi Arabia and India have also signaled moving away from the US dollar. Iran
Egypt-China ties strengthen with recent deals China is also getting closer to Saudi Arabia, Iran and other countries in the region, primarily through economic cooperation. Egypt
Saudi Arabia-China relations strengthen with Aramco-Sinopec deal The ties between China and Saudi Arabia are largely based on trade and energy cooperation. Saudi Arabia
Iranian trade with China on the rise China is focused on improving its economic ties with Iran as opposed to security cooperation. Iran
Nile dispute absent from first peace conference led by China to settle conflicts in Horn of Africa China avoided the controversial GERD dispute between Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia during the first peace conference held in Addis Ababa to settle the disputes plaguing the Horn of Africa. Egypt
Will Iran look east if nuclear deal talks fail? The European Union’s deputy foreign policy chief was in Tehran this week, but there are indications that Iran may be preparing backup options. Iran
