https://www.scmp.com/rss/522508/feed Yang Xiaotong is an assistant researcher at a Beijing-based independent think tank, specialising in China-MENA relations. With a decade of firsthand experience of living in Oman and Saudi Arabia, he brings a unique Sino-Arab perspective to his analysis and has authored reports for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Middle Eastern affairs. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Yang Xiaotong Yang Xiaotong The new year is not off to a good start. In January, US president Donald Trump ordered the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and now there is a massive US military build-up in the Middle East, apparently aimed at Iran. One aircraft carrier strike group has arrived in the region, with another one on the way. However, there does appear to be a silver lining to the stand-off. Unlike last year, when US bombers struck Iranian nuclear facilities during the conflict between Iran and... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3344333/how-saudi-diplomacy-thwarting-trumps-desire-war-iran?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3344333/how-saudi-diplomacy-thwarting-trumps-desire-war-iran?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Feb 2026 12:30:07 +0000 Yang Xiaotong Yang Xiaotong The Silk Road once connected China and the Arab world, stretching from Cordoba to Canton. The network not only fostered trade, but also cultural and intellectual exchange. Today, as humanity stands on the brink of a new age of exploration, this time of the cosmos, the stage is set to revive this historic partnership. For Arab countries, especially the Gulf states, space exploration represents a way to diversify their economy and reinvent their image. They are investing billions in space... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3322274/china-and-middle-east-space-silk-road-written-stars?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3322274/china-and-middle-east-space-silk-road-written-stars?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 20 Aug 2025 21:30:07 +0000