POLITICAL ISSUES
EGYPT
1. China to provide 19.3 million USD of aid to Egypt
Cairo, Thursday, 12 April 2012
China will provide aid worth US$19. 3 million to Egypt in a support of the latter's economic projects, according to two agreements signed on Thursday. Under the Economic and Technological Cooperation deal, China will offer 90 million Yuan of financial aid to fund a number of Egyptian projects.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

IRAN
2. Iran considers Iraq, China as potential hosts of nuclear talks: FM
Tehran, Wednesday, 4 April 2012
Iran's Foreign Minister Ali-Akbar Salehi said that the Islamic republic considers Iraq and China as the potential venues for the upcoming nuclear talks between Iran and the world powers.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

3. China, Iran join hands in blitz rescue of hijacked Chinese crew: ambassador
Tehran, Saturday, 7 April 2012
The Chinese ambassador to Iran said that the successful blitz rescue of all 28 Chinese crew members aboard a cargo ship hijacked by Somali pirates was attributed to the concerted efforts of the Chinese and Iranian governments.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

4. Chinese FM thanks Iran for rescue operation
Beijing, Sunday, 8 April 2012
Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi has expressed gratitude to Iran for its successful rescue of a hijacked China-linked freighter and the 28 Chinese crew members on board.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

5. FM spokesman: Chinese delegation to attend Iran nuclear talks
Beijing, Tuesday, 10 April 2012
A Chinese delegation led by Assistant Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu will attend nuclear talks between Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany on 14 April.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

6. Dialogue conducive to solving Korean Peninsula, Iran nuclear issues: China
United Nations, Thursday, 19 April 2012
Li Baodong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, said that dialogue is conducive to the proper settlement of the Iran nuclear issues, and called on all relevant parties to engage in negotiations to maintain peace and stability in the Middle East.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

ISRAEL
7. Israeli gov't approves agreement to support joint R&D ventures with China
Jerusalem, Sunday, 1 April 2012
Israel's cabinet moved to bolster bilateral trade ties with China by voting to support joint industrial research and development projects between the two countries.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

8. Chinese senior legislator Zhou Tienong visits Israel
Jerusalem, Wednesday, 4 April 2012
Israeli Deputy Speaker of the Knesset Raleb Majadele met with Zhou Tienong, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress and the head of the Chinese Association for International Understanding.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

9. Chinese senior legislator attends stamp ceremony in Israel
Jerusalem, Wednesday, 4 April 2012
Zhou Tienong, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress and the head of the Chinese Association for International Understanding, attended the launching ceremony of a set of commemorative stamps, called "Waxwing and Peace Dove”.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

10. Nazi death camp exhibition debuts in Shanghai
Shanghai, Thursday, 19 April 2012
An exhibition on crimes committed by Nazi Germany at the Auschwitz death camp during the Second World War opened Thursday at the Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum (SJRM). The exhibition features 30 display boards illustrating the establishment of the camp, as well as acts of brutality committed by Nazi soldiers.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

11. China supports measures to break Palestinian-Israeli negotiation deadlock
United Nations, Monday, 23 April 2012
Chinese UN ambassador Li Baodong said that China welcomed and supported all measures that help break the deadlock of Palestinian- Israeli negotiations and restart their dialogue.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

LEBANON
12. Lebanese-Chinese Business Council launched in Lebanese capital
Beirut, Thursday, 19 April 2012
The Lebanese-Chinese Business Council was launched in a ceremony attended by Chinese Ambassador to Lebanon, Wu Zexian and a mass gathering of Lebanese businessmen in Beirut.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

SYRIA
13. China says words, acts on Syria should help ease tension
Beijing, Thursday, 5 April 2012
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said that relevant parties' words and acts on the Syria issue should help ease the tension in Syria.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

14. China urges assistance for Annan's Syria mediation
Beijing, Thursday, 5 April 2012
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said that China urged all parties involved to actively cooperate with U.N.-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan's mediating efforts on the Syrian crisis.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

15. China calls for immediate ceasefire in Syria as deadline nears
Beijing, Wednesday, 11 April 2012
China called for an immediate ceasefire in Syria as a deadline underlined by the UN Security Council nears.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

16. China provides 2-mln-USD humanitarian aid to Syria
Geneva, Wednesday, 11 April 2012
China has provided US$2 million in urgent aid to Syria through the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to help improve the humanitarian situation in the unrest-torn country.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

17. China welcomes Syrian ceasefire
Beijing, Thursday, 12 April 2012
Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said that China said welcomes the Syrian government's agreement to a comprehensive ceasefire and troop withdrawal from some cities. He further said "This will help ease the tense situation in Syria, and is an important step toward a political solution of the Syrian issue."
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

18. Chinese FM holds phone talks with Annan over Syria
Moscow, Thursday, 12 April 2012
Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan exchanged views on the situation in Syria in a phone conversation. Yang, who is attending the 11th Meeting of the Foreign Ministers of China, Russia and India in Moscow, said China welcomes the announcement of a comprehensive ceasefire made by the Syrian government, which will be conducive to easing the current tension.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

19. China pledges continuous support to UN efforts on Syria
Beijing, Friday, 13 April 2012
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin  said that China has pledged that it would continue to participate in UN Security Council discussions on resolving the Syria issue in a constructive manner. He said that "China supports any efforts conducive to stopping violence and promoting political dialogue in Syria."
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

20. China warns against any attempt to create difficulties for Annan's mediation
United Nations, Saturday, 14 April 2012
Chinese UN Ambassador Li Baodong warned against any attempt to create difficulties or make trouble for the mediation efforts of Kofi Annan, the UN and Arab League special envoy for Syria.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

21. China to work with U.S., other parties on Syria: foreign minister
Beijing, Saturday, 14 April 2012
Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said that China is willing to cooperate closely with the relevant parties including the United States for an early political solution to the crisis in Syria.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

22. Syrian FM heads to China to discuss UN cease-fire
Damascus, Monday, 16 April 2012
Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem will arrive in China for a two-day visit to brief Beijing about Damascus' efforts regarding the cease-fire brokered by international envoy to Syria Kofi Annan.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

23. Chinese, Syrian FMs meet in Beijing
Beijing, Wednesday, 18 April 2012
Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem held talks as the two sides exchanged views on the situation in Syria. Yang briefed Muallem on China's principled stance on, and efforts in, resolving the Syria issue. He expressed hope that the Syrian government will continue to observe the six-point proposal put forth by Kofi Annan, the UN-Arab League special envoy to Syria, and actively cooperate with Annan in his mediation work.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

24. China mulls participation in UN observers mission in Syria
Beijing, Thursday, 19 April 2012
Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said that China is considering sending personnel to participate in the United Nations' observer’s mission in Syria. The scale of the UN observers mission should be determined by its advance team now working in Syria, Liu said at a routine press briefing.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

25. China to join UN Syria observers mission
Beijing, Friday, 20 April 2012
Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin confirmed that China will send personnel to join the United Nations observers mission and its advance team in Syria
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

TUNISIA
26. Chinese, Tunisian FMs pledge closer cooperation
Beijing, Monday, 16 April 2012
Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and his Tunisian counterpart Rafik Abdessalem pledged closer cooperation between the two nations while holding a talk on Monday in Beijing
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

27. China cooperates further with Tunisia: VP
Beijing, Tuesday, 17 April 2012
Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping pledged to further cooperate with Tunisia following the North African country's "historical transformation" last year. He said "China will work with Tunisia to push forward substantial cooperation in various fields so as to constantly promote friendly and cooperative ties and benefit the two countries and peoples. He further added that China respected the will and choice of the Tunisian people after the "historical transformation" last year.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

TURKEY
28. Premier Wen holds talks with Turkish PM
Beijing, Monday, 9 April 2012
Premier Wen Jiabao held talks with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Beijing, agreeing to facilitate trade and nuclear power cooperation. Wen told Erdogan, who is on the first official trip to China by a Turkish prime minister in 27 years, that "China attaches great importance to Turkey's role as a major emerging power.”
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

29. Chinese vice president underscores political trust with Turkey
Beijing, Tuesday, 10 April 2012
Vice President Xi Jinping met with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Beijing and stressed respect and support for each other on issues regarding both countries' core concerns.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

30. Turkey, China vow to enhance parliamentary cooperation
Ankara, Tuesday, 10 April 2012
Mehmet Saglam, deputy speaker of the Turkish parliament, held talks with Zhou Tienong, Deputy Chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, in Ankara, vowing to strengthen bilateral parliamentary ties on multiple levels.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

31. Senior CPC official meets leading Turkish entrepreneur
Beijing, Wednesday, 11 April 2012
Liu Yunshan, a senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC), met with Ahmet Calik, chairman of the Turkish conglomerate Calik Group. Calik is on a visit to China, during which his company inked a cooperative framework agreement with China International Publishing Group (CIPG).
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

32. China, Turkey pledge to advance strategic cooperation
Beijing, Wednesday, 11 April 2012
Chinese President Hu Jintao met with visiting Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Beijing. During the talks, President Hu said China and Turkey should expand and deepen cooperation in various fields, highlighting nuclear energy and trade. Erdogan also met with Vice President Xi Jinping, and top legislator Wu Bangguo.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

33. Senior CPC leader meets with Turkish guest
Beijing, Thursday, 26 April 2012
Senior leader of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Zhou Yongkang met with Abdulkadir Aksu, first deputy chairman of Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party, in Beijing. During their meeting, Zhou, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, applauded Aksu's contributions to promoting ties between China and Turkey.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

YEMEN
34. Senior Chinese political advisor meets Yemeni guests
Beijing, Friday, 20 April 2012 
Senior political advisor Sun Jiazheng met with a delegation of Yemeni Alliance for Reform headed by Saeed Shamsan Ahmed Al-maamari in Beijing. Sun, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, said that further development of China and Yemen relations is in the interests of the two peoples, and benefits world peace and stability.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

ECONOMIC ISSUES
TUNISIA
35. Chinese, Turkish companies seek business opportunities in Tunisia
Tunis, Wednesday, 25 April 2012
A major Chinese railway company is seeking business opportunities in Tunisia, notably under the framework of a cooperation deal with a Turkish partner.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

TURKEY
36. Turkish PM hopes to realize joint projects with China in third countries
Ankara, Friday, 6 April 2012
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkey is ready to realize joint projects with Chinese companies in third countries, especially in Africa, Central Asia, the Middle East and Balkan. China and Turkey can develop very useful cooperation projects in the third countries when they collaborate.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

UAE
37. UAE airline eyes Chinese investors at launch of flights to Kenya
Nairobi, Sunday, 1 April 2012
United Arabs Emirates (UAE) carrier, Etihad Airways' inaugural flight to Kenya touched down in Nairobi on Sunday seeking to boost its revenue with Chinese investments in Africa.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

Compiled by Dipanwita Chakravortty

Dipanwita Chakravortty is pursuing her M Phil degree in 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