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, Russia veto scaled-back Hormuz resolution at UN Security Council The vote came hours before the US deadline for Iran to reopen the global chokepoint. Bahrain
Analysis China's venture capital firms making inroads in Saudi Arabia, UAE Chinese venture capital investors have been pricing deals at more competitive rates and taking advantage of a widening vacuum left by Western rivals in the region. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
China's Huawei to invest $430M in North African cloud center, developer training The Chinese tech firm has been increasing its footprint in the Middle East and North Africa. North Africa
In China, Syria's Assad gets political fanfare, but no funding commitments Since Syria joined China's Belt and Road Initiative in January 2022, there have been no projects to show for it in the war-torn country. Syria
China builds reach by backing Middle East water projects In its latest financial deal, China has agreed to provide a new credit facility to expand Saudi Arabia's water generation and power portfolio. Legacy: Gulf
China’s Bomesc to build $220M Qatar offshore oil, gas facility for Italy’s Saipem The Tianjin-based engineering, procurement and construction company will build the compression facility for an oil and gas field off the coast of northern Qatar for industrial machine manufacturer Servizi Energia Italia. Qatar
Red carpet, honor guard and flowers: Syria’s Assad receives lavish welcome in China Assad will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping during his first visit to China since 2004, potentially turning a page in Syria-China relations as Damascus seeks reconstruction help. Syria
China development financier AIIB opens first global office in UAE Bank officials expect that the new Abu Dhabi location will help extend their reach to finance sustainable development projects. United Arab Emirates
Al-Monitor/Semafor summit: UAE seeks ‘ironclad’ defense agreement from the US, Anwar Gargash says UAE presidential adviser Anwar Gargash said growing ties with countries like China will not replace its reliance on the United States for security. Legacy: Gulf
China’s Alibaba to invest $2 billion in Turkey The news follows economic changes in Turkey as well as improving ties between Turkey and China. Turkey
Turkey, China near agreement on nuclear power plant If built, the facility will likely be Turkey's third nuclear plant, with Russia currently constructing its first. Turkey
US touts Bahrain defense agreement as model for Middle East strategy The upgrade to US-Bahrain ties marks the latest sign of Biden's emerging Middle East strategy following the announcement of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor at the G20 summit last week. Legacy: Gulf
