POLITICAL ISSUES
IRAN
1. China says Iran's nuclear issue cannot be solved “fundamentally” through sanctions
Beijing, Monday, 9 January 2012
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin at a regular news briefing said that Iran's nuclear issue cannot be addressed fundamentally through sanctions and pressure; instead dialogue and negotiation is the only right way out.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

2. China calls for enhanced diplomatic efforts on Iran nuclear issue
Beijing, Wednesday, 11 January 2012
Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin called on all concerned parties to enhance diplomatic efforts for a comprehensive, long-term and proper resolution regarding Iran's expanding nuclear program.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

3. China opposes all violence: FM spokesman
Beijing, Thursday, 12 January 2012
When asked to comment on an Iranian nuclear expert’s death, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Liu Weimin said that China opposes all violence.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

4. Wen says China against "any extreme acts" at Hormuz
Doha, Wednesday, 18 January 2012
Visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said that the Strait of Hormuz should be kept open under all circumstances and Beijing opposes "any extreme acts" at the strategic passageway.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

5. China expresses concern over rising tensions in Gulf region
Beijing, Thursday, 19 January 2012
Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin voiced concern over rising tensions in the Persian Gulf, saying the situation could pose problems for the resolution of Iran's nuclear issue.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

6. Mixed reactions to new sanctions on Iran
Beijing, Thursday, 19 January 2012
China's Permanent Representative to the UN Li Baodong, while addressing a Security Council open debate on the question of justice and rule of law, said that caution should be called for in metering out sanctions in international affairs. Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said some Western nations have recently tightened unilateral sanctions against Iran which has escalated tensions between these countries and Iran.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

7. China says sanctions on Iran not constructive
Beijing, Thursday, 26 January 2012
The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson's office said that to blindly pressure and impose sanctions on Iran are not constructive approaches. This was in response to the European Union decision to place an embargo on Iran's oil exports, and to introduce a number of other financial sanctions.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

ISRAEL
8. Israeli PM welcomes Chinese New Year
Jerusalem, Tuesday, 17 January 2012
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu greeted the Chinese New Year via a video message, where he stressed the importance of economic and cultural bonds between Israel and China.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

9. Israel's deputy PM welcomes China's Middle East policy
Jerusalem, Monday, 23 January 2012
Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Dan Meridor said that he welcomes China's policy on the Iranian nuclear issue and Israeli-Palestinian peace process, saying that Beijing is contributing to the stability of the Middle East and the world order.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

10. Israel, China celebrates 20 years of diplomatic relations
Tel Aviv, Wednesday, 25 January 2012
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the relations between Israel and China at a reception celebrating the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

QATAR
11. Chinese premier starts official visit to Qatar
Doha, Wednesday, 18 January 2012
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao arrived in Doha for an official visit to Qatar. Wen said China is ready to work with Qatar to continue deepening the friendship between the two peoples and pushing forward China-Qatar pragmatic cooperation.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

12. Chinese premier, Qatari PM discuss bilateral, int'l affairs
Doha, Wednesday, 18 January 2012
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao noted that the relations between China and Qatar are becoming increasingly close and that the two sides have carried out fruitful exchanges and cooperation in such fields as politics, economy and culture.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

13. Chinese premier meets Qatari emir on ties
Doha, Thursday, 19 January 2012
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met with Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani and discussed bilateral ties.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

SAUDI ARABIA
14. Chinese premier visits Saudi Arabia to promote ties, cooperation
Riyadh, Saturday, 14 January 2012
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao arrived in Riyadh on an official visit to Saudi Arabia to further boost bilateral ties and cooperation.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

15. China, Saudi Arabia pledge to promote exchanges, cooperation
Riyadh, Saturday, 14 January 2012
China and Saudi Arabia pledged to work together to further expand all-around exchanges and cooperation as Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao unfolded his official visit to Saudi Arabia.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

16. Chinese premier urges greater China-Saudi business links
Riyadh, Sunday, 15 January 2012
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao urged Saudi and Chinese enterprises to expand cooperation and mutual investment while meeting Saudi entrepreneurs, including Abdul Rahman Al-Jeraisy, president of the Saudi Arabia-China Friendship Association.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

17. China, Saudi Arabia vow to enhance bilateral relations
Riyadh, Sunday, 15 January 2012
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Saudi Arabia's King and Prime Minister Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz agreed to make concerted efforts to enhance bilateral relations under a strategic framework. The Saudi king proposed setting up a Saudi Arabia-China high-level committee to supervise the two countries' cooperation in the political, economic, cultural and security sectors.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

18. China, Saudi Arabia to enhance ties within strategic framework
Riyadh, Sunday, 15 January 2012
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao in talks with the Speaker of Saudi Arabia's Consultative Council Abdullah Bin Mohammed Bin Ibrahim Al-Sheikh said that the Saudi Consultative Council plays an important role in the political life in Saudi Arabia, and wished the Council to continue to support the development of China-Saudi Arabia relations.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

19. Wen Jiabao meets with Saudi Arabian King
Beijing, Monday, 16 January 2012
Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah welcomed Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao at the Royal Palace in Riyadh. Premier Wen also met with the president of the Saudi Arabia Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Abdullatif al-Zayani.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

UAE
20. Chinese premier arrives in UAE for official visit
Abu Dhabi, Monday, 16 January 2012
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao arrived for an official visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

21. China, UAE to establish strategic partnership: Chinese premier
Abu Dhabi, Monday, 16 January 2012
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said that China and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) would establish a strategic partnership while meeting with UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

22. Premier Wen: China-UAE strategic partnership to create broader prospect for bilateral cooperation
Dubai, Tuesday, 17 January 2012
The establishment of strategic partnership between China and the UAE will create a broader prospect for the two nations in the expansion of bilateral cooperation, according to Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. UAE Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum said that cooperation between the two sides had greatly boosted the economic development in the UAE and Dubai.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

23. China, UAE issue joint statement on establishing strategic partnership
Dubai, Tuesday, 17 January 2012
China and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) issued a joint communique on setting up a relationship of strategic partnership between the two countries.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

ECONOMIC ISSUES
ALGERIA
24. Dagong assigns sovereign credit rating of BBB- to Algeria
Beijing, Tuesday, 10 January 2012
Dagong Global Credit Rating Co. Ltd., China's domestic rating agency, assigned to Algeria the local and foreign currency sovereign credit rating of BBB- with a stable outlook. It decided to maintain the local and foreign currency sovereign credit ratings of Republic of Sudan at C with a stable outlook.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing; See also

IRAN
25. China says trade ties with Iran “open and transparent”
Beijing, Wednesday, 4 January 2012
Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei at a regular press briefing said that the country has maintained normal, open and transparent ties with Iran in the fields of economics, trade and energy.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

QATAR
26. China, Qatar eye closer cooperation in investment
Doha, Wednesday, 18 January 2012
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao at a press conference said that the two sides have agreed to jointly build a refinery in China's eastern Zhejiang Province, adding that Chinese enterprises are also ready to participate more in Qatar's infrastructure construction.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

UAE
27. China-UAE trade grows steadily in past decade: Chinese ambassador
Dubai, Saturday, 14 January 2012
The trade between China and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) grew steadily in the past decade and is expected to reach US$ 35 billion in 2011 despite the global economic downturn, thus placing UAE as the second largest trading partner of China in the Middle East, according to Chinese Ambassador to the UAE Gao Yusheng.  
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

ENERGY ISSUES
28. Premier Wen to visit Arab nations, attend energy summit
Beijing, Tuesday, 10 January 2012
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao will pay an official visit to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar from 14 to 19 January, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin. Premier Wen will also attend the Fifth World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing; See also

29. China seeks Gulf partnership to push renewable energy
Abu Dhabi, Monday, 16 January 2012
At the 5th World Future Energy Summit (WFES) which opened in Abu Dhabi, China, for the first time has a national pavilion at the leading energy exhibition in the Middle East to seek cooperation in the rapidly growing market in the region. Senior managers from China's major solar companies also attend the conference.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

30. Chinese premier calls for concerted global efforts to secure energy supply
Abu Dhabi, Monday, 16 January 2012
Visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao urged the world to work together to secure a safer and more stable and sustainable supply in the global energy market. He offered a four-point proposal to achieve the objectives: increasing energy efficiency, developing of renewable energy, promoting new technologies and safeguarding energy security.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing; See also

MULITLATERAL ISSUES
31. China welcomes efforts to resume Israeli-Palestinian dialogue
Beijing, Thursday, 5 January 2012
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said that China welcomes efforts to resume the dialogue between Israel and Palestine. Representatives from Israel and Palestine, along with the international peacemaking Quartet met in Jordan to discuss how to resume the Middle East peace process that has been stalled for over one year.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

32. A great boost to China-Arab partnership in hard times
Beijing, Saturday, 14 January 2012
According to Vice Foreign Minister Zhai Jun, Premier Wen Jiabao’s official visit to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar offers a valuable opportunity to deepen relations between China and the three Arab countries, promote cooperation between China and the Gulf Cooperation Council and facilitate the development of the overall ties between China and the Islamic world, at a time of political turbulence in West Asia and North Africa.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

33. Chinese premier puts forward three-point proposal on China-Arab relations
Sharjah, Wednesday, 18 January 2012
Premier Wen Jiabao put forward a three-point proposal on China-Arab relations, calling for strengthening political mutual trust, deepening strategic cooperation, and expanding cultural and people-to-people exchanges.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

34. China, GCC agree to accelerate FTA negotiations
Riyadh, Sunday, 15 January 2012
Visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Abdullatif al-Zayani agreed to speed up negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA) between the two sides.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

35. China supports all measures to restart Palestinian-Israeli negotiation
United Nations, Tuesday, 24 January 2012
Chinese UN ambassador Li Baodong said that China welcomes and supports all efforts and measures that would break the current deadlock of the Palestinian-Israeli negotiation and re-launch their dialogues. Li made the remarks when addressing a Security Council monthly open debate on Middle East.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

36. Chinese envoy stresses Arab League's role in solving Syrian crisis
Cairo, Thursday, 12 January 2012
Chinese special envoy to the Middle East Wu Sike said on Thursday China supported the efforts exerted by the Arab League (AL) in solving the Syrian crisis. China opposed the internationalization of the Syrian crisis and urged all sides in Syria to immediately stop violence and carry out inclusive political dialogue, he said.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

37. China calls for cooperation with AL efforts in solving Syrian crisis
Beijing, Wednesday, 18 January 2012
Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin during a press briefing said that China supports resolving the Syrian crisis within the framework of the Arab League (AL) and has called for relevant sides to fully coordinate with the AL.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

38. Chinese premier calls for end to violence in West Asia, North Africa
Riyadh, Sunday, 15 January 2012
Visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao during a meeting with Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu in the Saudi capital called for an end to violence against civilians in West Asia and North Africa. Ihsanoglu said the OIC advocated the solution of economic and social problems via reform, dialogue and coordination.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

39. Gulf visit deepens mutual political trust: Chinese premier
Doha, Wednesday, 18 January 2012
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said his visit to the Middle East had significantly enhanced mutual political trust between China and countries in the region. He said China and the Arab nations had no history of disputes and old scores, so they shared mutual interests.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

MISCELLANEOUS
40. ICBC Middle East reports profit jump in 2011 despite regional unrest
Dubai, Wednesday, 4 January 2012
The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) Middle East, a unit of the country's biggest bank by market value, profit and deposit, registered a sharp increase in its total assets and profits in 2011 despite the political turbulence in the Middle East and North Africa. The total assets of the ICBC ME tripled from nearly US$ 1.28 billion at the end of 2010 to reach US$ 3.86 billion at the end of November 2011.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

41. Chinese healthcare firms seek opportunities in Gulf Arab region
Dubai, Tuesday, 24 January 2012
About 350 Chinese medical companies are participating in the ongoing Arab Health Congress in Dubai, aiming to flood the Middle East with their products, as the region is developing fast in relation to health care services. The four-day event, the largest of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa, hosts 3,000 firms from 70 countries, includes representatives from over 30 country pavilions in the Dubai World Trade Centre. The Chinese pavilion is the largest country cluster at the congress.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

42. Chinese State Councillor meets with Saudi Arabia sports leader
Beijing, Friday, 6 January 2012
Chinese State Councillor Liu Yandong met with a delegation headed by Prince Naouaf Faisal Fahd Abdul Aziz, President of the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee. Liu thanked Saudi Arabia's support for China's bidding and preparing for 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games. He said that China is willing to further deepen the exchange in sports with Saudi Arabia.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

Compiled by Archana Rath

Archana Rath is pursuing her Masters degree in School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, and is an Intern at MEI@ND. 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