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Middle East
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Middle East

Middle East
Middle East
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Middle East. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Smoke rises above RIyadh amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran. Since the war began on February 28, Iranian missiles and drones have targeted key Saudi infrastructure. Photo: Reuters
US, Israel war on Iran

Shifting Saudi ties: what role could China take after Iran war is over?

Caught between Washington and Tehran, Riyadh may shift towards self-reliance and diversifying partnerships, observers note.

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Lebanon

Israel and Hezbollah exchange fire, testing Lebanon truce as talks loom

Hong Kong stock market

Hong Kong stocks drop as war uncertainty lingers after ceasefire extension

Banking & finance

Greater China private equity set for patchy recovery, modest fundraising boost

China’s private equity market recovers selectively amid geopolitical tensions, with yuan funds leading and exits reaching record highs.

Greater China private equity deal volume and value rose for a second consecutive year in 2025. Photo: dpa
Israel

Israel jails soldiers for vandalising Jesus statue in Lebanon

Both the soldier who smashed the sculpture with a sledgehammer and the one who photographed the act will receive military detention.

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US-China relations

Trump extends Iran ceasefire, claims interception of ‘gift from China’

Strait blockade stays as US seizes vessel said to be carrying ammunition for Iran; Beijing denies role and talks face fresh doubt.

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Banking & finance

No records, no role: HSBC, StanChart reject Iran-linked money laundering claim

HSBC chairman Brendan Nelson says bank is not a party to alleged Iran-linked case and holds no records, as US court seeks information.

General view of British architect Lord Norman Foster’s masterpiece, the HSBC Building, in Central, Hong Kong. Photo: Karma Lo
Malaysia

World’s top condom maker to raise prices by up to 30% over Iran war

Condom demand has surged with rising freight costs and shipping delays leaving many of Karex’s customers with lower stockpiles.

China energy security

China confronts Middle East supply shock, as State Council mulls energy strategy

Premier Li Qiang urges ‘bottom-line mentality’ to secure power as Beijing sees coal and Russian gas among options to offset reliance on imported crude.

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Diplomacy

Opinion | China’s diplomacy succeeds even if it doesn’t bring Middle East peace

From Beijing’s perspective, diplomacy is remarkably effective in advancing China’s regional interests and differentiating it from the US.

On July 23, 2024, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi hosts the signing of the Beijing Declaration among Palestinian factions including Fatah and Hamas at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing. Photo: Pool via AP
Singapore

Strait talking: Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia unite to secure safe shipping

Together, the Straits of Malacca and Singapore form the world’s busiest corridor for crude oil and petroleum liquids by volume.

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Small boats sail beside vessels anchored in the Strait of Singapore on Tuesday. Photo: AFP
Malaysia

Malaysian sultan warns Asean staring at ‘economic crisis’ over Hormuz closure

Perak Sultan Nazrin Shah said Southeast Asia faces food and energy insecurity, urging swift Middle East conflict resolution.

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Hong Kong economy

Letters | How Hong Kong can attract talent and capital from the Middle East

Readers discuss the opportunity for the city created by the Iran war, the proposal to allow taxis into Discovery Bay, and a planned pig farm in Sheung Shui.

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump, Iran and the Strait of Hormuz: here’s what happened overnight

A two-week ceasefire is about to expire, and it’s not clear if Tehran will show up for a second round of talks.

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US President Donald Trump says he won’t lift the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz until there is a deal with Iran. Photo: TNS
Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong retailers leverage scale, sourcing to offset war-driven cost pressures

Operator of Wellcome, Mannings, 7-Eleven and Ikea tackles crisis with key initiatives but Sa Sa warns of pressure on beauty items derived from petroleum.

People shop at a supermarket in Causeway Bay. Photo: Jelly Tse
Electric & new energy vehicles

Jump in EU EV sales amid Iran war boosts Chinese brands’ fortunes

Chinese-made EVs accounted for 16 per cent of the EU market in the year’s first two months, up from 12.2 per cent in 2025, CPCA data shows.

US, Israel war on Iran

US and Iran warn they are ready for war as clock ticks on ceasefire end

As talks remain in limbo, a key Iranian figure says the Islamic Republic is ready to ‘show new cards on the battlefield’.

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Lebanon

Defying Hezbollah, Lebanon’s president seeks end to hostilities with Israel talks

Ambassadors are set to meet in Washington on Thursday as President Aoun hopes to ‘save Lebanon’ amid a fragile ceasefire.

A man kisses an Iranian flag in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon. Photo: Reuters
US-China relations

US must make more bombers, bring China in on nuclear arms talks: senator

Republican Deb Fischer, whose subcommittee oversees US nuclear arsenal, insisted Beijing must be part of any future treaty negotiations.

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Iran

Video | US forces seize Iranian ship

Iran announced it had no plans yet to take part in a second round of negotiations, citing excessive US demands.

China trade

China presses IMF for quota reform, better surveillance of advanced economies

PBOC head urges IMF to ‘stand against protectionism’ amid effects from tariffs, Iran war.

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PBOC governor Pan Gongsheng appears with Kristalina Georgieva, managing director of the IMF. Photo: handout
Malaysia

Delays, rising costs hit Asia’s trade as Gulf crisis spills beyond oil

Port congestion has resulted in longer vessel queues and mounting scheduling pressure, forcing Malaysian operators to tighten access.

Westports Holdings Berhad in Port Klang, Malaysia, says it has begun rejecting ad hoc vessel calls unless carriers can confirm prompt cargo pickup. Photo: AFP
China energy security

China’s trade with Iran, Gulf states plunges as Hormuz crisis hits energy flows

But increased shipments from Russia, Malaysia and Indonesia help to partially offset the shortfall, official data shows.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Is Malacca Strait at risk from Hormuz ‘chain reaction’ after Iranian warning?

Chinese analyst says the Mideast crisis has made the world start ‘thinking about the security of shipping routes again’.

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Banking & finance

Hong Kong reasserts role as safe haven in global finance amid Iran conflict

The city’s safe-harbour appeal for capital and investments grows as China’s support strengthens its edge while Dubai faces pressure.

Helping boost Hong Kong are a pegged exchange rate, free capital flows and support from China’s economic strength. Photo: Jelly Tse
South Korea

South Korea targets India, Vietnam in ‘co-prosperity’ push for trade and tech

President Lee embarks on a strategic trip to New Delhi and Hanoi, boosting economic ties and supply chains amid the Middle East chaos.

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South Korean President Lee Jae Myung delivers a speech during a ceremony at the National Cemetery in Seoul on Sunday. Photo: EPA/Yonhap
Banking & finance

Cash holdings rise amid war, but Asia remains key for wealthy: Schroders CEO

High-net-worth clients continue to seek opportunities in Asia, taking a longer-term view despite global uncertainties, Richard Oldfield says.

Crime

LA woman charged in US with trafficking arms to Sudan for Iran

Shamim Mafi is accused ‘brokering the sale of drones, bombs, bomb fuses and millions of rounds of ammunition’.

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