China in the Mideast

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian holds a press conference on Aug. 19, 2026.

China slams Trump over economic war on Iran: What to know

China’s once significant oil imports from Iran have been impacted by the war in the region and increasing US sanctions.

King Abdullah II arrives in Beijing, Aug. 20, 2026. Photo from Xinhua/Chen Yehua.

Explainer

King Abdullah visits China as region hedges against US unpredictability

With no end in sight to the war in Iran and an unchecked Israeli policy across the region, the kingdom is hedging against future uncertainty and a less predictable US policy.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) shakes hands with King of Jordan Abdullah II during a signing ceremony at The Great Hall Of The People on Sept. 9, 2015, in Beijing, China.

Jordan's King Abdullah heads to China in first visit since 2015: What to know

Ahead of the visit, King Abdullah said that Jordan hopes to expand cooperation with China in green energy, tourism and aviation.

SPA

Explainer

Three ways China benefits from Saudi-Turkey-Pakistan pact: What to know

The pact points to a more multipolar Middle Eastern security order, one in which Washington is no longer the unquestioned center of Gulf security.

Latest News

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

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

Iran signs 25 deals at SCO meeting: What to know

AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

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

China Oman mtg

Joyce Karam

By Joyce Karam , Rosaleen Carroll

Explainer

China expands Sudan footprint through ports, debt relief, mining

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)

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.

A picture taken on December 7, 2022 in Riyadh, shows the Chinese and the Saudi flags adorning a street ahead of the Chinese president's visit to the Saudi capital. - Chinese President Xi Jinping will make a three-day visit to Saudi Arabia this week, meeting the king and de facto ruler of the world's biggest oil exporter. (Photo by Fayez Nureldine / AFP) (Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images)

Saudi Arabia's Diriyah awards Chinese firm $1.53B contract: What to know

Saudi Arabia’s Diriyah Company has awarded a major contract to China Harbour Engineering Company for the development of a Vision 2030 project.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi talks on his mobile phone ahead the family photo during the 51st session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Istanbul, on June 21, 2025.

Iran's Araghchi doubles down on China, Russia ties at Shanghai meeting

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi seized the opportunity at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in China to denounce Israeli and US attacks on Iran, rally diplomatic support against sanctions and warn of regional instability should the fragile ceasefire collapse.

Wang Yi held talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi in Beijing, on April 23, 2025.

Iran’s Araghchi to meet China, Russia FMs at Shanghai Cooperation meeting

Iran is seeking to deepen economic ties with the China-led bloc amid US sanctions and the aftermath of last month's war with Israel.

Egypt's Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly (R) meets with China's Premier Li Qiang at his office in Cairo on July 10, 2025.

Egypt banks on Beijing as premier visit seals yuan, payment deals

The deals were announced during the visit by a senior Chinese delegation led by the country’s premier to Cairo this week.

Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Oman launches $200M clean energy fund with China’s Templewater

China, a major clean energy player in its own right, already has multiple investments in the sector in Oman, particularly in solar and wind.

Egypt's Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouly (L) welcomes China's Premier Li Qiang upon his arrival at Cairo International Airport in Egypt's capital, on July 9, 2025.

China’s premier makes first visit to Egypt as ties grow: What we know

Egypt and China have significantly deepened their ties in recent years across various sectors such as trade, defense, technology and the economy.

A S-200 surface-to-air missile system is on display as heavy weaponry, including ballistic missiles, air defense systems and unmanned aerial vehicles, are showcased during an exhibition that marks the 44th anniversary of the 8-year war with Iraq, known as the "Holy Defense Week", in Baharestan Square in Tehran, Iran on Sept. 26, 2024.

Analysis

Can China and Russia fill Iran's defense vacuum after 12-day war?

With its air defenses shattered by Israeli strikes in the recent war, Iran is scrambling to rebuild amid growing public doubt over the reliability of its "strategic alliances."

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

An aerial picture shows workers using a crane to plant trees in a park project by the roadside in the Saudi capital Riyadh, on March 29, 2021. - Although the OPEC kingpin seems an unlikely champion of clean energy, the "Saudi Green Initiative" aims to reduce emissions by generating half of its energy from renewables by 2030. (Photo by - / AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

Saudi renewables firm ACWA Power eyes major China expansion: What to know

By 2030, ACWA Power aims to expand its global assets to around $250 billion, with China projected to contribute between $30 billion and $75 billion.