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China-Middle East relations

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China-Middle East relations
The latest news, analysis and opinion on China-Middle East relations. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Open Questions series

Zheng Yongnian on what US’ ‘neocolonialism’, Venezuela operation mean for China

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Liu Qian on Chinese innovation, the US rivalry and women holding up half the sky

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia

Fuchsia Dunlop tells how she fell for China’s cuisine and names her perfect dish

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

80 years on from WWII, China’s interests lie in peaceful Asia-Pacific: Mitter

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

‘Delusional’: Jeffrey Sachs on why Western hegemony has ended

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Illustration: Henry Wong

Scholar Jing Qian on right-sizing China’s economy in the age of Trump

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40
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

Zheng Yongnian on what US’ ‘neocolonialism’, Venezuela operation mean for China

videocam
15
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Liu Qian on Chinese innovation, the US rivalry and women holding up half the sky

7
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia

Fuchsia Dunlop tells how she fell for China’s cuisine and names her perfect dish

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5
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

80 years on from WWII, China’s interests lie in peaceful Asia-Pacific: Mitter

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18
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

‘Delusional’: Jeffrey Sachs on why Western hegemony has ended

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93
Illustration: Henry Wong

Scholar Jing Qian on right-sizing China’s economy in the age of Trump

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40
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
MORE FROM THIS SERIES
US President Donald Trump speaks to reporters before boarding Air Force One. Photo: AFP via Getty Images
Japan

China’s Iran war strategy, Trump’s Hormuz ask: 7 global relations reads

From a China-Israel call on Iran to an unlikely nuclear deal, here are highlights from the SCMP’s overseas correspondents in March 2026.

US, Israel war on Iran

China-Pakistan five-point plan to end Iran war

Banking & finance

Opinion | Dubai’s loss could be Hong Kong’s gain, but only if city is ready

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Middle East

Chinese container ships pass through Strait of Hormuz at second attempt, data shows

The two ships, which had turned back on Friday, are the first non-Iranian container ships to leave the Gulf since the war began.

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An illustration of a map showing the Strait of Hormuz. Photo: Reuters
China trade

Will Iran’s strikes on Gulf smelters strengthen China’s aluminium dominance?

Analysts say disruption at plants could shift more output to China, which already produces more than half of global supply.

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China food security

China rushes to stabilise fertiliser market as Iran war chokes off imports

China is pushing firms to release their fertiliser reserves in time for the vital spring planting season, as supplies of key inputs tighten.

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US-China relations

Why China’s Iran war strategy is working – and may even be an opportunity

Beijing happy to watch, wait and safeguard core interests – oil flows, Taiwan and trade – as its geopolitical rival spends resources on war.

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Illustration: Henry Wong
US, Israel war on Iran

China calls for US-Iran talks as war upends Gulf states’ global ties

Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi advocated peace talks in a call with his Iranian counterpart, while Gulf states rethink their international relations.

China manufacturing

Buying goods in China? Suppliers forced to scale back as Iran war bites

Some Chinese producers are already feeling ‘intense’ strain as the conflict sends energy, logistics and raw material costs soaring.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Opinion | When it comes to the Persian Gulf, China’s top priority is economics

Beijing’s refusal to pick sides between Iran and other Gulf states affirms its strategic positioning rather than a desire to shift paradigms.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
US, Israel war on Iran

What if US ground forces march into Iran? Chinese experts weigh the risks

Seizing Kharg Island may ‘give the US greater leverage to pressure Iran into making concessions’: South China Sea analyst.

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Emergency personnel work at the site of a strike on a residential building, in Tehran on March 16. Photo: via Reuters
China energy security

Strait of Hormuz tensions rise as Iran reportedly charges ships for safe passage

Around 20,000 seafarers are still stuck in the Gulf as Tehran reportedly charges at least one tanker about US$2 million to pass through the strait.

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2026 Trump-Xi summit

Open Questions | US ex-diplomat’s inside view on Trump-Xi summits

Former envoy in Beijing William Klein on US leader’s approach to foreign policy, tariffs, China weaponising rare earths and risks of Taiwan conflict.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Chinese analysts draw lessons from military decapitations in Iran, Venezuela

Beijing would not overestimate impact of decapitation strike on Taiwan, seeing it just as part of amphibious landing operation, analyst says.

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The Iranian supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was the first in a string of top officials killed in US-Israeli strikes on Iran since February 28. Photo: Reuters
US, Israel war on Iran

Can China stay friendly with Gulf states and Iran as fighting escalates?

Iranian strikes on neighbouring states in response to US and Israeli attacks highlight how difficult Beijing’s balancing act has become.

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Smoke rises near Dubai airport from a fire caused by a “drone-related incident”. Photo: AFP
2026 Trump-Xi summit

China may snub Trump plea for help in Strait of Hormuz

Beijing will probably see few reasons to help the US reopen a waterway that was closed in response to US-Israeli attacks on Iran.

Yuan

Will China’s yuan lift Strait of Hormuz blockade? Analysts urge caution

The world’s most vital energy artery has been largely paralysed since the launch of US-Israeli strikes on Iran last month.

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Two Sessions 2026

‘Win the future’: top China entrepreneurs commit to Middle East despite Iran war

TCL and Xpeng founders also vow to keep investing in Latin America – despite US intervention in Venezuela this year.

He Xiaopeng, co-founder and CEO of Xpeng, speaks to members of the media before the opening session of the National People’s Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 5. Photo: Reuters
US, Israel war on Iran

US claims Strait of Hormuz will not close, Iran’s new supreme leader ‘wounded’

Few details revealed about measures to restore oil flow as reports indicate the US is now sending amphibious assault ship, Marines to region.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Iran’s new supreme leader defies Trump, says Hormuz must stay blocked

In first declaration since his appointment as the country’s new supreme leader, Khamenei demands that US military bases in region must close.

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US, Israel war on Iran

In a new age of disorder, is it time for China to rethink non-intervention?

With the Iran crisis, the world is in a ‘jungle phase’ and Beijing should work on interventionism 2.0, government adviser says.

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The Thai‑flagged cargo ship Mayuree Naree smoulders after being hit by Iranian missiles in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday. Photo: EPA/Royal Thai Navy
China's military weapons

Open Questions | War on Iran may spark nuclear arms race, Carnegie scholar says

Zhao Tong says return to law of the jungle signalled by current US actions could spur countries without nuclear weapons to start acquiring them.

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez
US, Israel war on Iran

US warns of possible strikes on Iran ports as Hormuz becomes flashpoint

US military considers civilian ports to be legitimate targets, prompting a threat from Iran that no location in the Gulf would remain safe.

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China trade

China’s oil-import surge seen shielding economy with 120-day buffer

Crude volumes rose sharply in January and February as Beijing amassed reserves, pre-empting Mideast risks, and analysts say it provides a strong buffer for global supply disruptions.

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China energy security

China’s energy defences ease sting of Iran war instability

Reliance on coal power, investments in renewables and a huge oil stockpile will help China weather disruption to global crude supplies stemming from the Iran war.

An oil tanker docked next to storage tanks in Hong Kong. Photo: dpa
US, Israel war on Iran

Ships brandish China links to evade Iran’s attacks in Strait of Hormuz

Vessels are claiming to have an ‘all-Chinese crew’ or ‘Chinese owner’ in a bid to reduce the risk of being targeted.

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Ships sit anchored in Muscat, Oman, on Monday, as Iran vows to close the Strait of Hormuz. Photo: Reuters
China energy security

China vows to stabilise oil and gas output in new 5-year plan amid global risks

Amid Mideast instability and US$100 oil, China is mapping out strategic production bases, underpinning long-term energy security.

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Middle East

Open Questions | Strikes on Iran not the biggest threat to China’s belt and road goals: Pan Guang

Mainland academic assesses the risks to Chinese investment and diplomacy in the region and what it means for the other main players.

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