POLITICAL ISSUES

Egypt
1. Hopes religious groups maintain harmony, social stability
Beijing, Monday, 10 October 2011
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Liu Weimin said on Monday that China hopes religious groups in Egypt would maintain harmony and make joint efforts to safeguard social stability.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

2. Chinese envoy, Egyptian official discuss Syrian situation
Cairo, Sunday, 30 October 2011
After meeting Egypt's Assistant Foreign Minister for Arab Affairs Mostafa Kamel, Chinese Middle East envoy Wu Sike said that that the national and people's interests should be put first while the legitimate demands of the Syrian people are. He further asserted that China sticks to the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries, adding that China attaches great importance to the coordination with Egypt, an important regional country.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

Iran
3. Urges IAEA to solve Iran nuclear issue through dialogue
Beijing, Tuesday, 25 October 2011
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said that dialogue and negotiations are the proper ways to solve the Iranian nuclear issue. She further added that IAEA through interactive cooperation and diplomatic talks with Iran should deal with the issue objectively and impartially.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing;See also: Xinhua, Beijing

Israel
4. Israeli president says ties with China "extremely important"
Jerusalem, Thursday, 6 October 2011
Israeli President Shimon Peres said on Thursday that relations between China and Israel are extremely important citing a fast increasing trade volume which reached US $ 7.65 billion in 2010. On the other hand, Gao Yanping, the new ambassador of China, presented her credentials to Peres, saying that she came to Israel to strengthen and improve strategic relations between the two countries and the warm connection between the two peoples.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

Libya
5. Chinese humanitarian aid arrives in Libyan capital
Tripoli, Tuesday, 11 October 2011
The first batch of Chinese aid to the Libyan capital since the outbreak of the domestic turmoil in the North African nation landed in Tripoli on Tuesday. Wang Xuhong, temporary Charge d'Affaires of the Chinese embassy in Libya, told Xinhua that the first part, weighing about 43 tonnes and including rice, edible oil and medicines, is the first of a total of 20 million RMB (about US $ 3.2 million) Chinese aids to Tripoli, while the second and third batches would also arrive within the week.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

6. China's Red Cross to send 7.8 mn USD in humanitarian aid to Libya
Beijing, Thursday, 13 October 2011
In response to the situation in Libya, China's Red Cross Society (RCSC) would send 50 million Yuan (US $ 7.8 million) in humanitarian aid, the society said on Thursday, adding that the second shipment, which would include medicine, rice and cooking oil, would arrive in Tripoli by 15 October 2011.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

7. New batch of Chinese aid arrives in Libyan capital
Tripoli, Friday, 14 October 2011
A new batch of emergency humanitarian relief materials provided by the Red Cross Society of China arrived in the Libyan capital of Tripoli on Friday. Executive office chief of the Libyan Red Crescent's Tripoli branch Nassel Mohamed, the recipient of the Chinese aid, told Xinhua that the first to receive these aid materials would be fighters (of the ruling National Transitional Council) who have been wounded in the war, and those who are still fighting at a couple of the last front lines such as Sirte and Bani Walid.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

Saudi Arabia
8. Chinese official meets Saudi Arabian Deputy Foreign Minister
Beijing, Tuesday, 11 October 2011
Meeting Prince Abdul-Aziz, Saudi Arabian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wang Gang, a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) said that China and Saudi Arabia have enjoyed sound development in bilateral relations since the two countries established diplomatic relations. Abdul-Aziz said Saudi Arabia attaches great importance to developing its relations with China and is ready to boost cooperation between both countries.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

9. China voices "deep regret" for passing of Saudi crown prince
Beijing, Monday, 24 October 2011
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu stated that China feels deep regret for the passing of the crown prince of Saudi Arabia Prince Sultan bin Abdul-Aziz who highly valued the friendship between China and Saudi Arabia and played an active role in promoting bilateral relations. According to Jiang, President Hu Jintao sent a telegram to Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud expressing his deepest condolences for the passing of the crown prince.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

10. China's condolences on crown prince's death
Beijing, Tuesday, 25 October 2011
Li Liguo, special envoy of Chinese President Hu Jintao and Minister of Civil Affairs, left Beijing for Saudi Arabia Tuesday morning to extend condolences over the death of Saudi Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdul-Aziz, who passed away on Saturday.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

11. China’s special envoy meets Saudi Foreign Minister
Riyadh, Saturday, 29 October 2011
Saudi Arabia Foreign Minister Prince Saudi bin al-Faisal met with Wu Sike, China’s special envoy to Middle East in Riyadh on 29 October 2011.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

South Sudan
12. China, South Sudan vow to advance bilateral ties
Beijing, Thursday, 20 October 2011
While welcoming the high-level delegation led by Pagan Amun, secretary-general of South Sudan's ruling Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM), Wang Jiarui, head of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee said that China would work with South Sudan to promote the comprehensive and sound development of bilateral ties. He further added that China respects the right of South Sudan to independently choose its own political system and development path. Amun thanked China for supporting the formation of South Sudan, saying the country attaches great importance to developing friendly and cooperative relations with China.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

13. CPC to forge stronger bonds with South Sudan's ruling party
Beijing, Friday, 21 October 2011
Meeting a delegation led by Pagan Amum, secretary-general of South Sudan's ruling Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM), Li Changchun, a Standing Committee member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee pledged to cement friendly relations with SPLM on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence to boost healthy and stable growth of China-South Sudan ties. In response, Pagan told Li that South Sudan regards China as a sincere friend and strategic partner.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

Syria
14. China calls for restraint and non-interference
United Nations, Tuesday, 4 October 2011
Speaking in the UN Security Council, Chinese permanent representative Li Baodong called for restraint in Syria and the international community's compliance with the UN Charter and the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of the Middle East country. He further added that the future actions by Security Council on the question of Syria should depend on whether it facilitates the easing of tension and defusing of differences through political dialogue in Syria and whether it contributes to maintaining peace and stability in the Middle East. While emphasizing the importance of Syria in the region, he said that the maintenance of peace and stability in Syria serves the common interest of the Syrian people and the international community.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

15. China veto UN draft resolution on Syria
United Nations, Tuesday, 4 October 2011
Russia and China, the two permanent members of the UN Security Council, on Tuesday vetoed a draft resolution which was presented by France, Germany, Portugal and Britain. The draft strongly condemns "the continued grave and systematic human rights violations by the Syrian authorities" and threatened punitive measures against the Middle East country.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing; See also: Xinhua, Beijing; Tehran Times, Tehran

16. Syria Opposition Slams ‘Hostility’ of China in UN Vote
Friday, 7 October 2011
A Syrian opposition leader accused Russia and China of putting their economic interests first and showing “hostility” toward the Syrian people by blocking a United Nations resolution  on 4 October 2011, which demanded an end to violence and condemned President Bashar al- Assad’s crackdown on protests, adding that this would be reciprocated across the Arab world.
Source: Bloomberg Business Week,; See also: ABC News

17. Urges Syrian government to respond to its people's appeals
Beijing, Tuesday, 11 October 2011
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Liu Weimin said that China calls on the Syrian government to respond to its people's calls for reform and resolve the issues through dialogue and consultations. He further added that China pays close attention to the development of the Syrian situation and opposes any resort to force and would not like to see any more bloodshed or casualties.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

18. China urges Syria to fulfil reform promises
Beijing, Tuesday, 25 October 2011
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said that China urges the Syrian government to positively fulfil the reform promises and respond to people's reasonable expectations and appeals and also all parties to positively take part in the peace process and bring constructive attitudes to the table. He further said that the international community should play a constructive role in easing the tension in Syria, promoting political dialogue to defuse differences and maintaining peace and stability in the Middle East.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

19. Calls for halting all forms of violence in Syria
Thursday, 27 October 2011
Meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem in Damascus, China’s special envoy to Middle East Wu Sike said that all the necessary measures should be taken to prevent the bloodshed and expressed support to Arab League’s efforts to bring the months-long crisis in Syria to a close.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

Tunisia
20. China congratulates Tunisia on election
Beijing, Monday, 24 October 2011
Stressing traditional friendship between China and Tunisia, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu, congratulated Tunisia on holding a successful constituent assembly election, adding that China expects the country to take the election as a new start, launch an inclusive political transition, ensure social stability and restore the economic development.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

Turkey
21. China ready to provide assistance for quake-hit Turkey
Beijing, Monday, 24 October 2011
While expressing deep condolences to earthquake-hit Turkey at a press briefing on Monday, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said that China is ready to provide assistance. She further added that Premier Wen Jiabao has sent a telegram of condolences to his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

22. China to donate 1 mn U.S. dollars to quake-hit Turkey
Beijing, Saturday, 29 October 2011
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu announced Friday that the Chinese government would donate US $ one million to quake-hit Turkey. She further stated that the Red Cross Society of China has also donated US $ 50,000, and China would continue to offer emergency relief aid to Turkey.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing; See also: Xinhua, Beijing

Yemen
23. China calls for UN action to help ease tensions in Yemen
Beijing, Friday, 21 October 2011
Hours ahead of the UN Security Council's vote on a resolution regarding the month-long unrest in Yemen, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said that the action taken by the United Nations Security Council should be conducive to ease tensions and help resolve disputes in Yemen and expects all sides to use restraint and resolve the current issues through official channels and promptly launch an inclusive, peaceful, orderly and Yemeni-led process of political transition. She further noted that China has always participated in the UN Security Council's discussions on Yemen in a constructive manner.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

24. China hopes Yemen restores stability
Beijing, Wednesday, 26 October 2011
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said on Wednesday that China hopes relevant parties would resolve differences through dialogue and consultation and other political means to restore the country's stability at an early date and also welcomed the signing of the ceasefire.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

ECONOMIC ISSUES
Iran
25. Cooperate with Iran in building Wind, Solar Power Facilities
Friday, 7 October 2011
The Deputy Governor-general of China's Hebei province Zhang Qingwei, following a meeting with the Governor-general of Iran's East Azerbaijan province Alireza Beigi, said that China was interested in joint venture projects with Iran in constructing solar, wind, gas and hydroelectric power plants. Tehran’s Fars News Agency further reported that China is also eager to invest in the mining sector and in the car manufacturing and construction industries in (north-western Iran’s) East Azerbaijan province, as well as cooperation with Iranian companies in railway construction and irrigation projects, including channelling water from the Aras River to the Tabriz Plain.
Source: StockMarketsReview.com

Libya
26. China understands Libya's call to release frozen assets
Beijing, Tuesday, 11 October 2011
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Liu Weimin said on Tuesday that China understands and supports the Libyan National Transition Council's (NTC) call for the international community to release frozen assets for post-war reconstruction as the international community has currently only released part of Libya's frozen assets.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

UAE
27. NBAD & ICBC sign MoU to boost UAE-Chinese business
Thursday, 6 October 2011
The National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) to enhance partnership between the two banks and facilitate greater business development between UAE and the People's Republic of China (PRC). UAE-China trade is expected to grow beyond US $100 billion (AED 367.31 billion) by 2015 from US $26 billion currently. ICBC is one of the largest banks in the world, with RMB US $14.90 trillion ( US $2.32 trillion) in assets and also the world's most profitable bank while NBAD is ranked one of the world's 50 safest banks and the safest bank in the Middle East with growing international network  which comprises more than 50 branches spanning Hong Kong, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Egypt, Sudan, Libya, France, Switzerland, the UK and the US, making the largest overseas network for a UAE bank.
Source: CPIFinancial

28. UAE eyes on lucrative Chinese market
Dubai, Saturday, 8 October 2011
Amidst rising concerns over the Euro debt crisis and global debt crisis mainly in developed countries, senior official said that the United Arab Emirates, on its drive of economic diversification strategy, is keen to expand business relations with China which boasts a large population and growing market. Minister of Foreign Trade Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi told Xinhua that the Ministry of Foreign Trade (MoFT) is supporting all initiatives that help in introducing the UAE private companies to the available investment and commercial opportunities in China. Headed by MoFT Undersecretary Abdullah Ahmed Al Saleh, UAE officials and representatives of companies from various sectors such as Adnoc, Borouge and Julphar formed the delegation to the event.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

MULTILATERAL ISSUES
29. China vows to upgrade ties with Arab states
Beijing, Sunday, 2 October 2011
China opened a two-day conference with Arab countries in Tianjin on Thursday (29 September 2011), hoping to upgrading relationship to a strategic level and release an action plan for an economic, political and cultural co-operation blueprint in the next two years. According to reports, China is also working on a free trade pact with the Gulf Cooperation Council.
Source: The Saudi Gazette, Riyadh

30. China urges safeguarding stability in Middle East, Gulf region
Beijing, Friday, 14 October 2011
In response to reports saying that U.S. President Barack Obama has vowed to apply the "toughest sanctions" on Iran and to garner international support in further isolating the Islamic state in the wake of the revelation of an alleged plot to assassinate the Saudi ambassador to Washington, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Liu Weimin said that China has taken notes of the related reports and responses from various parties and called for efforts to safeguard stability in the Middle East and Gulf region.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

31. Backs international efforts to resume peace talks
Beijing, Tuesday, 18 October 2011
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Liu Weimin said that it is a key period now for the peace process in the Middle East and pledged support for international efforts to resume negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians at an early date. Liu also welcomed the implementation of a prisoner-swap deal between the two sides which would help ease tensions between the two sides and appreciated the efforts made by Egypt and other parties in the process.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

32. China supports efforts in bridging differences
United Nations, Monday, 24 October 2011
Addressing an open debate of the UN Security Council on the question of the Middle East, Chinese Ambassador to the United Nations Li Baodong said on Monday that China welcomes and supports all the international efforts in bridging the differences between Israel and the Palestinians and in promoting resumption of dialogue and negotiations between the two sides. He further noted that the Israeli settlement is the direct cause of the impasse of Israeli-Palestinian peace talks as well as the major obstacle of the resumption of the talks while adding that China welcomes the recent agreement between the two sides on the exchange of prisoners. Li also said that China being one of the first countries to recognize the state of Palestine, China supports the membership of Palestine in the United Nations.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

33. China welcomes prisoner-swap between Israel, Egypt
Beijing, Wednesday, 26 October 2011
At a press conference, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said on Wednesday that since Israel and Egypt are two important countries in the region, improving relations between them would be conducive to safeguarding peace and stability in the Middle East and hence welcomed the prisoner-swap deal between Israel and Egypt which Israel's security cabinet approved on Tuesday (25 October 2011).
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

MISCELLANEOUS
Egypt
34. China sends equipment aid to Egyptian school
Cairo, Monday, 10 October 2011
To improve the conditions of the China-Egypt Friendship School in Cairo, China presented an Egyptian school with computers, TV sets and other teaching equipment worth US$ 78,000 dollars on Monday. The Chinese ambassador also visited the library of the school and talked with children in a Chinese language class, the first such kind of class in an Egyptian middle school. The school was built by a Chinese company and comprises a kindergarten, primary school and middle school. Since its opening in 2009, it has enrolled in more than 1,000 students.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

Israel
35. Chief Scientist leads Israeli biomed road show in China
Monday, 3 October 2011
Representatives of 11 Israeli life sciences companies have departed for a series of meetings with their Chinese counterparts. According to Chief Scientist Avi Hasson, economic ties between Israel and China have grown substantially in recent years and the Office of the Chief Scientist has various tools to help Israeli industry collaborate with China, including R&D agreements with Chinese provinces and cities.
Source: Globes, Tel Aviv

Saudi Arabia
36. Chinese Muslims to begin annual pilgrimage to Mecca
Yinchuan, Thursday, 6 October 2011
Local religious officials informed on Thursday that more than 2,600 Chinese Muslims from northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region would begin their annual pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia later this month. According to Hei Fuli, vice chairman and secretary-general of the Islamic Association of Ningxia, the number travelling this year is about 200 more than that of last year. China has more than 20 million Muslims, about half of which are from the Hui ethnic group. Chinese Muslims mainly live in the western provinces of Qinghai, Gansu and Yunnan, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Regions with a population of more than 2.25 million and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

37. First group of Chinese pilgrims leave for Mecca
Beijing, Thursday, 6 October 2011
According to reports, the first group of Chinese Muslim pilgrims left Beijing for Mecca in Saudi Arabia on Thursday. The pilgrims come from six provincial-level regions, including central China's Henan province and north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. More than 13,700 Chinese Muslim pilgrims are scheduled to take 41 chartered flights to Mecca for the annual Hajj pilgrimage, which would last from 5 to 9 November, 2011.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

38. Chinese Muslims prepare for pilgrimage to Mecca
Lanzhou, Friday, 7 October 2011
According to Ma Youcheng, deputy director of the Islamic Association of Gansu, about 5,000 Muslims from Gansu and nearby Qinghai province are expected to fly to Mecca via charter flights from an airport in Gansu's capital of Lanzhou. He further added that the association is offering short training courses to prepare the travelers for their journey, as well as educate them on common pilgrimage rituals since many of the local Muslims are from remote rural areas and have little travel experience.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

39. NW China pilgrims leave for Mecca
Gansu, Friday, 8 October 2011
According to a spokesperson with the Islamic Association of Gansu, more than 330 Chinese Muslims boarded a charter flight from northwest Gansu Province on Saturday, starting their pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. He further added that it was the first of the 14 charter flights that would carry over 4,600 Muslims in Gansu and its neighboring Qinghai province to Mecca for their annual hajj pilgrimage.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

40. Muslims in NW China region begin annual pilgrimage
Yinchuan, Monday, 17 October 2011
The first group of 332 Chinese Muslims from northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region flew to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, via a charter flight Monday for their annual pilgrimage. According to Li Yushan, of the Ningxia Regional Administration of Religious Affairs, a total of 2,656 Muslims in Ningxia are scheduled to fly to Saudi Arabia via eight Air China charter flights between 17 and 22 October, 2011, and would return to Ningxia between 27 November, 2011 and 2 December, 2011. Nationwide, about 13,800 Chinese Muslim pilgrims are scheduled to take 41 chartered flights to Mecca for the annual Hajj pilgrimage this year, which would last from 5 November, 2011 to 9 November, 2011. The first group of Chinese Muslim pilgrims left Beijing for Mecca on 6 October, 2011.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

UAE

41. Traditional Chinese medicine company lands in Middle East
Dubai, Tuesday, 18 October 2011
Traditional Chinese medicine brand Beijing TongRenTang on Tuesday opened a branch in Dubai with an in-house pharmacy and retail outlet offering more than 70 traditional Chinese medicinal products certified by internationally recognized laboratories and approved by World Health Organization standards, the first of its kind in the Middle East region. Ding Yongling, vice general manager of the Beijing-based China Beijing TongRenTang Group Co. Ltd., said that besides the UAE, the brand hopes to expand business and service to other Middle East countries in the future.
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