POLITICAL ISSUES
EGYPT
1. Chinese Foreign Minister hopes Egypt to regain role as a major country
Beijing, Thursday, 9 January 2014
China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed hope for Egypt to restore stability, and re-establish itself as a major country in the region and affirmed China's support for Egypt's ongoing political and social transition.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

2. China welcomes approval of Egypt's new constitution
Beijing, Monday, 20 January 2014
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei said that China welcomed the smooth approval of Egypt's new constitution.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

3. China condemns violence in Egypt
Beijing, Monday, 27 January 2014
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Qin Gang condemned violent attacks on civilian and government facilities in Egypt as people celebrated the third anniversary of the toppling of President Hosni Mubarak and urged relevant parties to resolve disagreements through dialogue and negotiations.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing;See also

4. Egypt eyes more Chinese tourists as travel advisory lifted: minister
Aswan, Egypt, Tuesday, 28 January 2014
With the travel advisory against Egypt lifted, the Egyptian Tourism Ministry will be expecting more than 3,000 Chinese tourists in February 2014.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

IRAN
5. China's energy collaboration with Iran "transparent": spokesperson
Beijing, Wednesday, 8 January 2014
Responding the relaxation of restrictions by the US and EU on importing oil from Iran, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying that China's energy trade and cooperation with Iran are open, transparent and legitimate.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

6. Chinese Foreign Minister calls for full implementation of Geneva nuclear agreement
Beijing, Thursday, 9 January 2014
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called on the P5+1 nations and Iran to fully implement the Geneva Interim Nuclear Agreement.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing; See also; See also; See also

IRAQ
7. China concerned about Iraq situation: Foreign Minister Spokesperson
Beijing, Friday, 10 January 2014
Foreign Minister spokesperson Hua Chunying expressed concern about the security situation in Iraq and hoped that all parties properly handled all of the problems, and reach stability.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

ISRAEL
8. China's four-point proposal well received by Palestine and Israel, says Foreign Minister
Beijing, Thursday, 9 January 2014
After concluding a recent visit to Palestine and Israel, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that President Xi Jinping's comprehensive four-point proposal to resolve the Israeli-Palestine issue has been well received by both sides.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

9. China urges substantial progress in Palestinian-Israeli peace talks
United Nations, Monday, 20 January 2014
Liu Jieyi, China's Permanent Representative to the UN urged Israel and Palestine to make substantive progress as soon as possible in the resumed peace talks.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

10. China hopes to enhance economic, technological cooperation with Israel
Davos, Switzerland, Friday, 24 January 2014
During a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed hope that both countries would move forward in their cooperation in high technology, environment protection and energy.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

SYRIA
11. Shipping of Syria's chemical weapons helpful: FM spokesperson
Beijing, Wednesday, 8 January 2014
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said that transportation of chemical weapons out of Syria in a timely and fast manner will help the destruction process and that China will continue to work with other parties to ensure the smooth and secure transport of these weapons.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing; See also

12. Chinese frigate escorts Syria's chemical weapons

Beijing, Thursday, 9 January 2014
Foreign Ministry spokesperson said that the Chinese frigate Yancheng will escort Syria's chemical weapons that are being moved out of the country by sea.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

13. Syria issue can only be resolved politically: Chinese Foreign Minister
Beijing, Thursday, 9 January 2014
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that the Syrian issue can only be resolved politically and that the most pressing task is to put an end to the war and continued violence.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing; See also

14. Chinese envoy to attend Syria conference in Kuwait
Beijing, Thursday, 9 January, 2014
Hua Chunying, Foreign Ministry spokesperson confirmed that China's Middle East Special Envoy Wu Sike will be travelling to Kuwait for the second International Donor Conference on 15 January to Syria. She further added that China will increase its assistance towards Syria, keeping in line with the principles of neutrality and justice.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing; See also

15. China offers Syria US$3.3 million in humanitarian aid
Beijing, Monday, 13 January 2014
The Chinese embassy in Damascus pledged US$3.3 million worth humanitarian aid to Syria.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

16. China applauds all parties' efforts in shipping Syrian chemical weapons
Beijing, Tuesday, 14 January 2014
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei said that China appreciated the contribution of the parties involved, in the successful completion of the first round of shipping Syria's chemical weapons.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

17. China pays close attention to Syrian humanitarian situation: envoy
Kuwait City, Wednesday, 15 January 2014
Speaking at the second International Humanitarian Pledging Conference for Syria in Kuwait, Chinese Special Envoy to the Middle East Wu Sike said that China has actively provided humanitarian aid to those in need throughout the course of the conflict and shall continue to do so to the fullest extent possible.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

18. China urges Syrians to "sit down"
Beijing, Saturday, 18 January 2014
Speaking to the media on Geneva II, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that the situation in Syria is very complicated and that military means cannot resolve it.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing; See also; See also

19. China's contribution to destruction of Syrian chemical weapons hailed
Nicosia, Wednesday, 22 January 2014
Sigrid Kaag, Special Coordinator of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and the United Nations Joint Mission appreciated China's role in the destruction of Syria's chemical weapons saying that China's participation contributes to world peace and stability.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

20. Confidence, patience, persistence needed in Syria peace talks: Chinese Foreign Minister
Monteux, Switzerland, Wednesday, 22 January 2014
Speaking at the Geneva II Conference, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized on the need for patience, confidence and persistence in the peace talks for producing a resolution and that military actions are doomed to fail. He also said that the Geneva II Conference must become an open platform with a follow-up mechanism so as to increase the involvement of those who would like to resolve the problem.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing; See also

21. China urges Syrian warring parties to start political reconciliation
Monteux, Switzerland, Wednesday, 22 January 2014
Having met both the Syrian government as well as the opposition separately, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged both the sides to work for political reconciliation.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

22. Chinese Foreign Minister urges basic framework to shape Syria peace talks
Monteux, Switzerland, Wednesday, 22 January, 2014
Speaking at the Geneva II Conference Chinese Foreign Minister urged the formation of a basic framework containing mutually agreed upon principles on core issues for discussions and negotiations between the opposing factions in Syria.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

UAE
23. Chinese, UAE Foreign Ministers discuss ties over phone
Beijing, Monday, 20 January 2014
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in a conversation with UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan expressed willingness in deepening cooperation between the two countries in various fields in celebration of the 30th anniversary of establishing diplomatic ties between the two nations. China also expressed readiness in making efforts to speed up talks on Free Trade Agreements with the Gulf Cooperation Council.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

MISCELLANEOUS ISSUES
24. China's political role in Middle East will only be enhanced: Foreign Minister
Beijing, Thursday, 9 January 2014
In an interview with Al Jazeera, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that China's role in the Middle East will only be enhanced, not diminished. He further added that there is a need for China to build up its capacities for enhancing cooperation with countries in the Middle East.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

25. China supports Arab states in following chosen paths, says Foreign Minister
Beijing, Thursday, 9 January 2014
Speaking at the end of his recent visit to the Middle East and Northern Africa, Foreign Minister Wang Yi summarized China's policy towards the Middle East as "four supports” which are by resolving the region’s issues through political means, achieving a win-win and common development with China, playing a larger role in international affairs and lastly, safeguarding their legitimate rights and interests.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

26. First batch of China's aid arrives in Damascus
Beijing, Saturday, 11 January 2014
The first batch of China's aid to civilians in Syria comprising of ten thousand blankets arrived in Damascus. These will be sent to the people in need by the Syrian Arab Red Crescent.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

27. China-GCC strategic dialogue to be held in Beijing
Beijing, Wednesday, 15 January 2014
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hong Lei said that the China-GCC strategic dialogue co-chaired by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Khaled al-Sabah will be held in Beijing on 17 January.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

28. Chinese President meets GCC delegation
Beijing, Friday, 17 January 2014
Meeting with the GCC delegation, Chinese President Xi Jinping said that the two sides must work towards strengthening and expanding their cooperation. Further, he also said that the sides must speed up their free trade area negotiation and sign an agreement as soon as possible.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing; See also;See also

29. China, Gulf States outline 2014-2017 cooperation
Beijing, Friday, 17 January 2014
China and GCC nations announced an action plan for cooperation from 2014 to 2017, setting goals in politics, trade, energy, environment protection and climate, culture, education, health, and sports along with speeding up negotiations in establishing Free Trade Zones.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

30. Mideast security fair Intersec opens in Dubai
Dubai, Sunday, 19 January 2014
About 177 Chinese firms participated in the 16th edition of the Middle East and North Africa security fair and exhibition Intersec in Dubai.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

31. China, Arab League pledge to enhance communication, cooperation
Monteux, Switzerland, Thursday, 23 January 2014
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Secretary General of the League of Arab States Nabil Elaraby agreed to enhance communication and cooperation.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing; See also

COMPILED BY DIPANWITA CHAKRAVORTTY

Dipanwita Chakravortty is a doctoral candidate in School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.  Email

As part of its editorial policy, the MEI@ND standardizes spelling and date formats 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