POLITICAL ISSUES
Algeria
1. Algerian president attends opening ceremony of Chinese-built expressway
Algiers, Monday, 18 April 2011
The Algerian President attended the opening ceremony of the western section of the east-west expressway, which was built by the China International Trust and Investment Corp. (CITIC) and The China Railway Construction Co. Ltd (CRCC).
Source: Xinhua

Egypt
2. Roundup: China, Egypt vow to cement traditional ties
Cairo, Wednesday, 20 April 2011
At the end of a three-day visit by 40 Chinese commerce officials and entrepreneurs headed by the Chinese Deputy Commerce Minister, Fu Ziying, China and Egypt promised to cement their traditional friendly relations. A number of cooperation memos were signed and aid worth 60 million Yuan will be given to Egypt by China.
Source: China Daily, Beijing

3. China FM to visit Egypt in show of support
Cairo, Tuesday, 26 April 2011
The Chinese Foreign Minister, Yang Jiechi, was scheduled to visit Egypt in a show of support and in order to bridge relations with a new post-Mubarak government in Egypt.
Source: Egypt.com News

Iran  
4. Iran and China to the rescue as UN clears Zimbabwe nuclear energy project
Friday, 1 April 2011
After receiving the approval of the inspectors from IAEA for Zimbabwe’s application for a nuclear power station, the government of Zimbabwe is getting Chinese and Iranian experts to help construct and run the power plant.
Source: Bulawayo24 News

5. China hopes to see Iran's nuclear talks resume
Beijing, Thursday, 14 April 2011
The spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry said that China hoped to see a new round of talks between Iran and the G5+1 as soon as possible.
Source: Xinhua

6. China, Iran to enhance parliamentary cooperation, exchanges
Tehran, Monday, 18 April 2011
Chen Zhili, a senior Chinese legislator, met the vice speaker of the Iranian parliament (Majlis) and both agreed to enhance parliamentary cooperation and exchanges.
Source: Xinhua

7. Iran, China set to expand ties
Teheran, Wednesday, 20 April 2011
The Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi highlighted the importance of Tehran-Beijing relations to the visiting Chinese Vice Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China and called for an increase in bilateral cooperation, particularly in the economic sphere.
Source: Press TV, Tehran

8. Ha’aretz WikiLeaks exclusive / Chinese company selling chemical weapons equipment to Iran
Tel Aviv, Thursday, 21 April 2011
According to some WikiLeaks cables Iran has a secret plant developing chemical weapons to which a Chinese company had transferred equipment and technology. The cables reveal that President Bill Clinton asked the US Embassy in Beijing to take action against this Chinese company.
Source: Ha’aretz , Tel Aviv

Israel
9. Sino-Israel trade boosted for mutually benefits
Jerusalem, Sunday, 3 April 2011
The Israeli government decided to spend around US $28 million on enabling its exporters to increase business ties with China and India. The Sino-Israeli trade was about US$7.65 billion in 2010, which is a 150 times than what it was in 1992 when both countries established diplomatic relations. In a recent visit, the Chinese Commerce Minister claimed that China saw trading and cooperation potential with Israel in diverse fields ranging from agriculture to communication.  
Source: Xinhua

Kuwait
10. China, Kuwait mark 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties
Beijing, Tuesday, 12 April 2011
China and Kuwait celebrated the completion of 40 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries on Tuesday. Kuwait was the first among Gulf Arabic countries to establish relations with China.
Source: Xinhua

Lebanon
11. Ma Xiaotian visits Chinese peacekeepers in Lebanon
Beirut, Monday, 25 April 2011
The deputy chief of general staff of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) General Ma Xiaotian visited the south of Lebanon for an inspection visit to the 7th Chinese peacekeeping medical detachment and the 8th Chinese peacekeeping engineer battalion to Lebanon.
Source: Ministry of National Defence, The People’s Republic of China

Libya
12. China, Germany call for political solution to Libyan crisis
Beijing, Friday, 1 April 2011
In their bilateral dialogue in Beijing, China and Germany asserted that the Libyan crisis required a political solution and not a military one. Both countries had abstained from voting on UN Security Council Resolution 1973, which allowed the establishment of a no-fly zone over Libya and the use of “all necessary measures” to protect Libyan citizens.
Source: CNTV, Beijing

13. India, China in talks for tough stand on Libyan air strikes
Beijing, Saturday, 2 April 2011
Chinese officials engaged in talks with officials from other BRICS countries before they met in Sanya, Hainan on 14 April, to convince them to take a firm stand against the air strikes on Libya by Western countries.
Source: The Times of India, New Delhi

Morocco
14. China's Vice President calls for stability in West Asia, North Africa
Beijing, Monday, 11 April 2011
Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation was on a three day visit to China and met the Chinese Vice President who asserted that Middle Eastern countries should have the right to decide their own affairs and hoped for stability in the region soon.
Source: Xinhua

Saudi Arabia
15. Kingdom and China to sign nuclear cooperation pact
Riyadh, Tuesday, 12 April 2011
After signing its first ever nuclear treaty with France in February, Saudi Arabia declared its intention to sign a nuclear cooperation agreement with China. It authorized the president of the King Abdullah City for Nuclear and Renewable Energy to enter into talks with Chinese officials to develop plans for peaceful use of nuclear energy.
Source: Arab News, Jeddah

16. Saudis Buy Advanced Nuclear-Capable Missiles in China
Friday, 15 April 2011
Saudi Arabia agreed to buy two types of Chinese ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear warheads – DF-21 (medium-range) and DongFeng 15 (short-range).
Source: Global Intelligence Centre

17. Saudi Ambassador Hosted by China University of Political Science and Law
Beijing, Saturday, 23 April 2011
The Saudi Arabian ambassador was hosted by China University of Political Science and Law where he delivered a lecture on Chinese-Saudi relations and Islamic law.
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Syria
18. UN fails to agree on condemning Syria
New York, Thursday, 28 April 2011
The UN Security was deeply divided on the issue of violence and Syria. Countries like China and India refused to condemn Syria and did not support the European and US-backed statement condemning the violence against protesters in the country. Instead they proposed political dialogue and peaceful resolution of the dispute.
Source: Guardian, London

19. China says Syria should solve problems itself through talks
Beijing, Thursday, 28 April 2011
The Chinese Foreign Ministry asserted that Syria should solve its own crisis via political dialogue in order to resolve the disputes within the country.
Source: Reuters

Turkey
20. China, Turkey carve joint path
Beijing, Saturday, 2 April 2011
Turkey’s Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan said on an official visit to China that Turkey was looking forward to increased economic and political cooperation with China. China is Turkey third largest trading partner with trade volume in 2010 being worth US$19.44 billion. Infrastructure, tourism and counter-terrorism were the other areas of cooperation he discussed.
Source: Sina English

21. First meeting of Turkey-China joint working group held
Ankara, Saturday, 2 April 2011
The first meeting of the Turkey-China Joint Working Group was held in Ankara. The Joint Working Group was established following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Turkish Foreign Ministry and People’s Republic of China on 25 June 2009.
Source: Dunya Times

22. Gov't seeking visa waiver program with Turkey
Taipei, Sunday, 17 April 2011
According to Vice Economics Minister Lin Sheng-chung, Taiwan is exploring the possibility of opening direct air links and entering into a visa waiver agreement with Turkey after Taiwan acquired visa-free status in the European Union.
Source: The China Post, Taipei

23. Chinese military delegation to attend dialogue meeting in Turkey
Beijing, Wednesday, 20 April 2011
A Chinese military delegation headed by the deputy chief of staff of the PLA attended the second meeting of the high-level dialogue on China-Turkey Military Cooperation in Turkey.
Source: Ministry of National Defence, People’s Republic of China

Tunisia
24. China delivers first batch of humanitarian aid to Tunisia
Beijing, Friday, 8 April 2011
China’s first shipment of humanitarian aid left for Tunisia on Thursday and included 1,500 tents and around 20 tonnes of medicine.
Source: CNTV, Beijing

25. Chinese loan to finance investment projects in Tunisia
Tunis, Friday, 22 April 2011
In exchange for greater facilities for Chinese investors in Tunisia, China offered to finance projects in Tunisia.
Source: Tunisian News Agency, Tunis

Yemen
26. Russia, China with dialogue to tackle Yemen's crisis
Sana’a, Tuesday, 5 April 2011
Both China and Russia extended their support for a political dialogue between all the political powers in Yemen in order to resolve the crisis in Yemen.
Source: Saba News Agency

ECONOMIC ISSUES
Egypt
27. Egypt's CI Capital, CIB join with Chinese bank
Cairo, Tuesday, 19 April 2011
The Egyptian investment bank CI Capital and Commercial International Bank had agreed to develop a partnership with China Development Bank.
Source: Reuters

28. Chinese Government Trade and Economic Delegation Visited Egypt
Cairo, Friday, 22 April 2011
The Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce headed a delegation to Egypt to discuss advancements in bilateral trade and economic cooperation.
Source: Ministry of Commerce, People’s Republic of China

Iran
29. Sino-Iran economic forum held in China
Beijing, Friday, 22 April 2011
The 14th session of Iran-China Joint Economic Commission was held in Beijing as officials from the two countries signed a memorandum on trade and economic cooperation and discussed ways to boost bilateral ties on various fronts.
Source: Kuwait Samachar

Oman
30. Chinese firm wins OCTAL's expansion project
Muscat, Sunday, 17 April 2011
After defeating competition from six other companies, the Chinese engineering company CMIIC will carry out polyethylene terephthalate (PET) manufacturer OCTAL's second phase expansion of its Salalah plant, which includes construction of buildings and installation of equipment.
Source: Muscat Daily, Muscat

Tunisia
31. Chinese Government Business Delegation Visit to Tunisia
Tunis, Tuesday, 26 April 2011
The Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce headed a delegation that visited Tunisia and held talks with numerous Tunisian officials to increase opportunities for Chinese investment in Tunisia and expand bilateral trade and cooperation.
Source: Ministry of Commerce, The People’s Republic of China

Turkey
32. Yuan trade spurs Chinese banks to rush to Turkey
Istanbul, Tuesday, 5 April 2011
According to a Chinese official, Chinese banks are looking to enter the Turkish market and open branches in Turkey. With an increase in mutual trade and investment, Turkey and China agreed to use their respective currencies in bilateral trade.
Source: Hurriyet Daily News

33. China's Huawei increasing R&D investments in Turkey
Ankara, Thursday, 7 April 2011
The Chinese global telecom solutions provider Huawei is set to expand its research and development (R&D) operations in Turkey. According to company officials, Huawei Turkey’s investments for 2011 will reach US $25 million and the company will spend a total of US $50 million in the next three years.
Source: Invest in Turkey

UAE
34. China UnionPay develops its card business in UAE
Monday, 18 April 2011
China UnionPay has partnered with Network International (NI), a UAE-based payment solutions provider, allowing NI merchants to accept payments via UnionPay cards so that cardholders can use their UnionPay cards in UAE.
Source: Banking and Payments, Singapore

ENERGY
Iran
35. Iran's Oil Exports to China Increased in 2011
Tehran, Wednesday, 6 April 2011
In the period of January-February 2011 crude oil exports from Iran to China increased by 62% compared to the same period the previous year with 4.11 million tons.
Source: Payvand Iran News

Iraq
36. China, Saudi firms win US$204 million Iraq turbine deal
Basra, Tuesday, 5 April 2011
China's Machinery Engineering Corp and the Saudi-based Dao al-Jomaih Group won the low bid of US$204.4 million to install four gas turbines in Iraq's southern Basra province which will generate a total capacity of 500 MW.
Source: Reuters

37. Shanghai Electricity Wins US$1 billion Iraq Power Contract
Shanghai, Monday, 25 April 2011
China’s Shanghai Electric received a US$1 billion deal from Iraq electricity minister to nearly double the size of a power plant in Zubaidiya.
Source: Iraq Business News

Kuwait
38. Kuwait in talks with BP, others over China refinery
Kuwait, Tuesday, 5 April 2011
According to a Kuwaiti official Kuwait was in talks with BP and other energy companies over a possible role in its US$9 billion refining joint venture with Sinopec in China.
Source: Reuters

39. Kuwait boosts China exports
Kuwait, Monday, 25 April 2011
Kuwait’s crude oil exports to China rose in March by 13.3% compared to the previous month and provided 3.4% of China’s total crude oil imports for the month.
Source: Pipeline Magazine, Dubai

Multilateral
40. Sinopec adds storage for Oman and Saudi crude oil
Friday, 1 April 2011
Sinopec completed the construction of a 1.88 million cubic metre commercial crude oil storage facility for storing crude oil imports from Oman and Saudi Arabia. It was scheduled to be operational on 20 April.
Source: ECF, Shanghai

MISCELLANEOUS
41. Emirates launches Airbus A380 to Shanghai
Shanghai, Tuesday, 12 April 2011
On 27 April 2011, Shanghai will be connected to Dubai by a non-stop Emirates Airbus A380 flight. This is the third destination in China to receive this service.
Source: Breaking Travel News, London

42. China Radio International signs cooperation deal with Turkish national broadcaster
Ankara, Monday, 18 April 2011
China Radio International and Turkish Radio and Television Corporation signed an agreement for cooperation in broadcasting which included increased exchange in programmes, staff communication and training for each other’s employees.
Source: CNTV, Beijing

43. SCH : Qatar not importing milk & its products from China
Doha, Tuesday, 19 April 2011
The Supreme Council of Health (SCH) announced that the State of Qatar was not importing milk and milk products from China, following news reports related to two poisoned milk farms (with nitrate) in China, which caused the death of three people and poisoning 35 others.
Source: Qatar is Booming

44. Countdown begins for first Chinese car to be produced in Turkey
Bursa, Friday, 29 April 2011
The Chinese auto manufacturer Chery’s new production facility in northwest Turkey is set to bring out its first line of cars within six months. Since 60-65% of its production will be for export, this will be Chery’s door to European markets.
Source: Gasgoo Automotive News

Compiled by Shubha Kamala-Prasad

Shubha Kamala Prasad is a Graduate student at the School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University. Email: 

As part of the policy, the MEI@ND standardizes spellings and date format to make the text uniformly accessible and stylistically consistent. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views/positions of the MEI@ND. Editor, MEI@ND P R Kumaraswamy