POLITICAL ISSUES
Egypt
1. China attaches great importance to relationship with Egypt
Cairo, Monday, 29 August 2011
Chinese special envoy to Middle East Wu Sike held talks with Egyptian Foreign Minister Mohammed Amr at Cairo and expressed China's willingness to further ties with Egypt. Hailing the bilateral ties, the two sides also exchanged views on the Palestinian issues emphasizing on the establishment of independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital as conducive for regional and world peace and stability.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

Israel
2. China, Israel vow to improve military ties
Tel Aviv, Sunday, 14 August 2011
Chen Bingde, visiting chief of the General Staff of China's People's Liberation Army (PLA), pledged to lift the friendly ties between the Chinese and Israeli militaries to a new level during a meeting with Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak. Chen's visit is the first of its kin and he was on a three-day visit at the invitation of Israel Defence Force (IDF) Chief of Staff Benny Gantz.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

3. Chinese military chief makes first visit to Israel
Jerusalem, Monday, 15 August 2011
The chief of China's armed forces General Chen Bingde arrived in Israel on Sunday, in what analysts saw as part of a Middle East reassessment by Beijing following the Arab Spring. An Israeli defence ministry statement said Defence Minister Barak and Chen discussed "ties with the Palestinians Authority, the situation in Pakistan and Iran and the fight against international terrorism."
Source: Reuters, India

4. Israeli president says to strengthen relations with China
Jerusalem, Tuesday, 16 August 2011
Israel would continue to work towards expanding relations with China, Israeli President Shimon Peres said on Tuesday during a meeting with Chen Bingde, visiting chief of the General Staff of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China. Chen said that China is willing to deepen the exchanges between the two sides and to push Sino-Israeli relations to a new height. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu further added that the two countries should work together for the world's security and prosperity.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

Libya
5. China calls for UN to play bigger role in resolving Libyan crisis
Beijing, Tuesday, 2 August 2011
China on Tuesday called for the United Nations to play a bigger role in easing tensions in Libya, as the UN Secretary-General's special envoy to Libya Abdul Ilah Al Khatib concluded a visit to China. During his talks with Khatib, Wu Hailong, China called on the UN to step up mediation efforts and strengthen consultations with the African Union and other regional organizations to obtain a ceasefire in Libya as early as possible. In a separate meeting with Khatib, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi reaffirmed China's support to a political solution to the Libyan crisis.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

6. China's humanitarian relief materials reach Libya
Benghazi, Friday, 19 August 2011
The first batch of emergency humanitarian relief materials, sent by Red Cross Society of China to war-torn Libya, arrived at the Benghazi Airport and similar materials would also reach Tripoli later. China is providing a total of 50 million Yuan (US$ 7.82 million) worth of humanitarian materials to Libya.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

7. China respects Libyan people's decision: spokesman
Beijing, Monday, 22 August 2011
China said that it respects the choices of the people of Libya after the war-torn country's opposition forces announced they had taken control of the capital of Tripoli. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu said that China is ready to cooperate with the international community to play a proactive role in the reconstruction of Libya.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

8. China says it respects Libyan people's choice
Beijing, Monday, 22 August 2011
On Monday China said it “respects the Libyan people’s decision” and wished a quick return to stability in Libya, even as Beijing’s biggest State-run oil company announced it had terminated projects in the country as a result of political turbulence. The statement said China respected the choice of the Libyan people, but refrained from saying whether or not China was in favour of Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi stepping down as fighting continued.
Source: The Hindu, Chennai

9. Libyan rebels' flag raised at Libyan embassy in China
Beijing, Tuesday, 23 August 2011
The flag used by the rebels in Libya was raised at the Libyan embassy in China in Beijing on 23 August 2011.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

10. Chinese FM calls for international efforts to stabilize Libya
Beijing, Tuesday, 23 August 2011
Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said that Beijing is ready to work with the broader international community to quickly restore stability to war-torn Libya. In a telephone conversation with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Yang noted that following months of deadly violence, the Libyan situation has entered a critical phase and China's top priority is to bring the North African country back to calm and order, and let the Libyan people determine the future of their country. He stressed that the international community should continue providing humanitarian assistance to the war-ravaged country.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

11. Safety of stranded nationals in Libya
Beijing, Tuesday, 23 August 2011
China vowed to make every effort to ensure safety of its nationals stranded in Libya, and provide assistance for their evacuation. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ma Zhaoxu said that the embassy was in close contact with the stranded Chinese, related countries and international organizations to seek different channels for evacuating stranded citizens from Libya.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

12. China turns to Libya rebels, urges stable transition
Beijing, Wednesday, 24 August 2011
China urged a stable transition of power in Libya and said that it was in contact with the rebel National Transitional Council. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Ma Zhaoxu expressed China’s hopes that the future government would adopt effective measures, draw together the forces of different factions, and restore social order as quickly as possible.
Source: Indian Express, New Delhi

13. Journalists trapped by Gaddafi forces released
Tripoli/Beijing, Wednesday, 24 August 2011
All foreign journalists, including five Chinese journalists, who were trapped in the Rixos Hotel in Libya's capital of Tripoli, were released on Wednesday, with no one being hurt, media reports said.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

Palestinian National Authority
14. Abbas praises China's support for Palestine's UN bid
Ramallah, Friday, 26 August 2011
Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas praised China's support for Palestine's bid for full UN membership during a meeting with visiting Chinese special envoy on Mideast affairs Wu Sike Thursday. Abbas also thanked China for its consistent support for Palestinians' legitimate rights as regards founding a state based on the 1967 borders.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

15. China supports Palestinians' UN bid: envoy
Ramallah, Friday, 26 August 2011
China's special envoy to the Middle East Wu Sike said in Ramallah that his country fully supports the Palestinians' right to establish an independent state on the lands occupied in 1967 in a balanced manner and through peace talks. China also expressed support for a two-state solution and appreciated the reconciliation deal signed between Palestinian National Authority President Mahmud Abbas' Fatah party and Hamas movements in Cairo in May.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

16. China pledges to back Palestinian statehood bid
Cairo, Friday, 26 August 2011
China has said it would vote in favour of Palestinian statehood when the matter is presented to the UN Security Council next month, the official Palestinian news agency said on Friday. A message to that effect from Chinese President Hu Jintao was delivered to Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas on Thursday.
Source: Al-Ahram, Cairo

Sudan
17. Chinese foreign minister Yang Jiechi visits Sudan
Khartoum, Sunday, 7 August, 2011
China's Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi arrived in Sudan, the first high-level visit by Khartoum's key ally since South Sudan became independent in July. China has been a strong supporter of Sudan and its President Omar al-Bashir, despite allegations of Sudanese war crimes in Darfur. The visit comes after Sudan released a cargo of South Sudanese oil it had blocked in a row over custom duties.
Source: BBC News, London

18. Chinese FM says friendly ties with Sudan not to change
Khartoum, Monday, 8 August 2011
Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said that China would not alter its policy to develop friendly cooperation with Sudan no matter how Sudan's internal and regional situation changed and would continue to keep the friendly exchanges at all levels, enhance mutual understanding and strengthen the mutual political trust.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing; Also See: Xinhua, Beijing

19. Sudan, China pledge to strengthen ties
Khartoum, Monday, 8 August 2011
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir met Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi expressed willingness to cement bilateral ties and to establish partnership with China in the agricultural sector and enhance their cooperation in the oil domain. The two also discussed the relations between Sudan and South Sudan, as well as the Darfur issue.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

20. China's foreign minister in first visit to South Sudan
Juba, Tuesday, 9 August, 2011
China’s Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi hailed a "bright future" between the two countries, following a meeting with President Salva Kiir in Juba. During his two-day visit to Khartoum which ended on Monday, Mr Yang urged both the north and the south to find "urgent solutions" to their outstanding differences for the sake of stability. Meanwhile, Sudan's Foreign Minister Ali Ahmed Karti has announced that Sudan has granted China more oil exploration rights.
Source: BBC News, London; Also See: Xinhua, Beijing; See also

21. China to Develop Friendly Co-op with S Sudan: FM
Juba, Tuesday, 9 August 2011
Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said that China would continue to develop friendly cooperation with South Sudan, taking its independence and the establishment of the bilateral diplomatic relations as a new start.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

22. China Offers Mediation between North and South
Khartoum, Tuesday, 9 August 2011
China is prepared to mediate between North and South Sudan to bridge difference in views regarding outstanding post-secession issues, a visiting official said Tuesday. Sudanese foreign minister Ali Karti speaking to reporters along with Jiechi at Khartoum airport welcomed China's initiative saying that Beijing is qualified to play this role given the acceptance and appreciation it enjoys from both sides. During the visit, Sudan and China signed an agreement for constructing of a railway line linking Sudan and Chad and Central African Republic (CAR).
Source: Sudan Tribune, Khartoum

Syria
23. China concerned with latest developments in Syria
Geneva, Monday, 22 August 2011
China has been following the latest developments of Syria with great concern and called on all sides to resolve the issue in a peaceful way, Chinese diplomat He Yafei said at a special session of UN Human Rights Council on Syria. China has urged the Syrian government to implement its promised reforms and held that the initiatives proposed by the international community must be guided by the UN Charter and the international law, and must fully respect the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Syria.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

24. China calls on all sides in Syria to keep "utmost restraint"
Beijing, Tuesday, 23 August 2011
China on Tuesday called on all parties in Syria to show the "utmost restraint" and abandon violence to avoid further escalating the situation and causing more casualties. China believes that the crisis in Syria should be reconciled through promptly opening up an inclusive political process with all parties addressing the problems through dialogue and negotiation, with Syria playing the leading role.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

25. New Chinese ambassador presents credentials
Damascus, Sunday, 28 August 2011
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad accepted the credentials of new Chinese Ambassador to Syria Zhang Xun.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

Turkey
26. Exchange congratulatory messages over anniversary ties
Beijing, Tuesday, 2 August 2011
Chinese President Hu Jintao and his Turkish counterpart Abdullah Gul exchanged congratulatory messages over the 40th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations hailing bilateral relations that have enjoyed steady development. Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi also exchanged congratulatory messages with his Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu as also Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao with his counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

ECONOMIC ISSUES
Libya
27. China urges Libya to protect investments
Tuesday, 23 August 2011
China on Tuesday urged Libya to protect its investments and said their oil trade benefited both countries after a Libyan rebel official warned that Chinese oil companies could lose out after the ousting of Muammar Gaddafi. Libya supplied three percent of China's imported crude oil last year.
Source: Reuters, London

28. China hopes to further economic cooperation with Libya
Beijing, Wednesday, 24 August 2011
China hopes to further promote economic and trade cooperation with Libya and hopes that Libya would restore stability as soon as possible said Shen Danyang spokesman of the Ministry of Commerce at a Press Conference. China also expressed its willingness to play an active role in Libya's reconstruction along with the international community. China is involved in 50 projects in Libya which worth US$ 18.8 billion which have been suspended due to rampant warfare there.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

29. No direct Chinese investments in Libya
Beijing, Friday, 26 August 2011
Reports of China's losses in Libya are inaccurate, said Shen Danyang spokesman of the Ministry of Commerce, on Wednesday. He further added that China does not have direct investments in Libya, only contract projects. Earlier this year, Zhong Manying, director of the department of West Asia and Africa under the Ministry of Commerce, said 26 Chinese enterprises were involved in businesses in Libya. Their businesses, valuing more than US$ 20 billion, were in property, railway, crude oil service, and telecommunication.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

UAE
30. Chinese firms win over $ 4.8b in UAE contracts
Abu Dhabi, Wednesday, 24 August 2011
Chinese firms have won over US$ 4.8 billion (Dh17.62 billion) worth of contracts in the UAE during the last two years. Wang Guaqiang, Economic and Commercial Counsellor at the Chinese Embassy, told Gulf News that Chinese firms are expanding their networks in the UAE to help secure more work
Source: Gulf News, Abu Dhabi

Energy Issues
Libya
31. CNPC terminates 6 overseas projects
Beijing, Monday, 22 August, 2011
China National Petroleum Corp. (CNPC), the country's largest oil and gas producer, terminated six exploration projects in Libya and Niger amid ongoing political turbulence in the region. The termination of the six projects is estimated to cause 1.2 billion Yuan (187.51 million U.S. dollars) in losses.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

32. China looks to protect its assets in a post-Gaddafi Libya
Beijing, Tuesday, 23 August, 2011
China is seeking to reaffirm its ties with Libya as it looks ahead to a future without Gaddafi, calling for its investments especially its oil investments to be protected after rebels suggested they might freeze out countries that had not supported them.
Source: Guardian, London; Also See: Reuters, UK

Sudan
33. Sudan grants China more oil exploration rights
Khartoum, Tuesday, 9 August 2011
Sudan has granted China more oil exploration rights as both countries seek to boost ties, Sudan's foreign minister said. Sudanese President al-Bashir told the Chinese minister that the Chinese firm CNPC would be granted the right to explore oil in three new blocs, said Sudan's foreign minister Ali Ahmed Karti on Monday. North Sudan was the sixth-largest source of Chinese oil imports in 2010.
Source: Reuters, Africa

MULTILATERAL ISSUES
34. Second China-Arab States Economic, Trade Forum
Yinchuan, Wednesday, 3 August 2011
Preparations for the holding of the Second China-Arab States Economic and Trade Forum have entered a crucial period, according to the Expo Bureau of northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. The forum, covering a summit, exhibitions, trade fairs and culture exchanges, would be held in Yinchuan, the capital city of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, from September 21 to 25.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

35. China urges restraint in Israel-Palestine conflict
Beijing, Friday, 19 August 2011
China called on relevant parties to show restraint and avoid escalating the situation regarding a series of attacks in the Red Sea resort town Eilat in southern Israel which killed eight Israelis and wounded many others on Thursday (18 August) and the retaliatory airstrike launched by Israeli air forces in the southern Gaza strip killing a number of Palestinians.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

36. Chinese, Brazilian FMs discuss Libyan situation on phone
Beijing, Wednesday, 24 August 2011
Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and his Brazilian counterpart Antonio Patriota had a phone conversation to exchange views on the Libyan situation. He expressed China's willingness to work with Brazil to help Libya realize stability and embark on the path of reconciliation and reconstruction as soon as possible.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

37. Russia, China resist UN Syria sanctions push: envoys
United Nations, Friday, 26 August 2011
A US and European push to impose UN Security Council sanctions on Syria over the pro-democracy demonstrators is meeting fierce resistance from Russia and China, UN diplomats said. Since Russia and China were refusing to discuss the draft, Western diplomats in New York said their leaders would have to get involved to persuade Moscow and Beijing to join negotiations on the draft resolution to reach a consensus among the 15 Security Council members.
Source: Reuters, US

38. China-Arab friendship, cooperation to continue
Cairo, Monday, 29 August, 2011
The friendship and cooperation between China and the Arab world have the foundation and potential for further development in the long run despite temporary impact of the region's ongoing unrest, said Chinese special envoy to the Middle East Wu Sike at Cairo on Sunday. In his talks with Arab League General Secretary Nabil el-Arabi, the two sides discussed how to further promote bilateral relations within the framework of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum which was established in 2004. They also exchanged views on the regional situation in Libya and the Palestinian issue.
Source: Global Times

39. Support for Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as capital
Cairo, Monday, 29 August, 2011
China supports the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital and with full sovereignty on the basis of two-state solution, Chinese special envoy to the Middle East Wu Sike said on Sunday while on a visit to Egypt.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

40. UNSC should play leading role in handling Libyan issue
United Nations, Tuesday, 30 August 2011
China's UN Ambassador Li Baodong said that the UN Security Council should play a leading role in handling the Libyan issue at the next stage, while other countries, international mechanisms and conferences should also play a supplementary role.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

41. Chinese representative to attend "Friends of Libya" in Paris
Beijing, Wednesday, 31 August 2011
Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhai Jun would attend the international "Friends of Libya" conference in Paris on Thursday as an observer. Zhai is visiting at the invitation of France, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu. Senior officials from around 60 countries are attending the conference to secure financial and diplomatic support for Libya.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

Miscellaneous
Israel
42. Israel to boost Chinese language teaching
Tel Aviv, Thursday, 4 August 2011
The Israeli government plans to boost Chinese language teaching at all levels with its plans to establish a multi-level Chinese Language education system for different groups, and is thinking about making it a selected course for primary and middle school students, a senior Israeli education official said on Wednesday.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

Saudi Arabia
43. Minister of Hajj receives ambassador of China
Jeddah, Wednesday, 13 August 2011
Dr Fouad Abdulsallam Al Farsy, Minister of Hajj, received China’s Ambassador Yang Honglin consecutively. During the two meeting, the minister and ambassador exchanged views on Hajj and Umrah issues for the year 1432H.
Source: Hajj Information

44. ‘More Saudis seek to study in China’
Riyadh, Wednesday, 24 August 2011
Prompted by the growing interest of Saudi higher education institutions and the keen interest shown by Saudi students, 34 Chinese higher education institutions are participating in the International Education and Conference on Higher Education that opened in Riyadh Tuesday, Chinese Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Yang Honglin said.
Source: Saudi Gazette, Riyadh

Turkey
45. China to export first light rail train to Turkey
Beijing, Sunday, 14 August 2011
China would soon send its first shipment of domestically produced light rail trains to Turkey in its first foray into the European train market, the People's Daily reported Sunday. The light rail trains were manufactured by China's CSR Zhuzhou Electric Locomotive Co. Ltd. and would go into service in Izmir, Turkey's third-largest city.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

Compiled By Aradhana Talwar

Aradhana Talwar is pursuing research at the School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. 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