Category: MENA
One of Those “Only in Djibouti” Days
Djibouti's Chief of the General Staff of the Armies, Lieutenant General Zakaria Cheikh Ibrahim (photo), had a very busy day last Thursday hosting senior naval commanders from both China and the United States for a series of meetings that can only happen in the strategically located country on ...
The China-Mediterranean Observer: Greece Settles Port Dispute With China But Concerns Linger
Although many countries, such as Iraq, Algeria, and Syria, continue to underline the positive outcomes of their relations with China, the search through the media outlets of the wider Mediterranean also showed that there are raising concerns over a rising Chinese political presence in the MENA region, ...
Moroccan Police Arrest Uyghur Activist at China’s Request
34-year old Uyghur activist Yidiresi Aishan is now in Moroccan police custody awaiting likely deportation to China after he was arrested earlier this week at Casablanca's international airport. Police say they were acting on an Interpol Red Notice, the international police group's most wanted list, based on a ...
New Data Reveals China’s Growing Dependence on Middle Eastern Oil
Middle Eastern oil producers now account for 48.3% of China's oil buys in the first half of the year, according to the latest Chinese customs data. Saudi Arabia is the top provider, with 16.8% of the market in H1 2021, followed by Russia with 15.3%.
The China-Mediterranean Observer: China Emerges as Key Mediator in the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam Standoff
Among the most interesting topics discussed this month in the media published throughout the wider Mediterranean region, the crisis over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam between Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia stands out. We also found a number of interesting reports regarding the relations between the countries of ...
China and the Arab League Publish a Joint Statement That Showcases Beijing’s Growing Ambitions in the Middle East
China and the Arab League published a sweeping joint statement on Monday that highlights Beijing's increasingly ambitious geopolitical agenda in the Middle East and Persian Gulf regions. The statement followed a Sunday meeting between visiting Chinese ...
What’s at Stake for China in Chad Following the Unexpected Death of President Idriss Deby?
News that Mahamat Kaka, son of late Chadian President Idriss Deby who was killed on Monday in fighting near the Libyan border, has been named interim leader will likely be well received at the headquarters of the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) in Beijing. ...
E-Commerce Giant JD.com Is the Latest Chinese Tech Company to Expand in the Middle East
China's second-largest e-commerce company, JD.com, is looking to high-end fashion consumers in the Persian Gulf as part of a new expansion in the Middle East. JD signed a partnership agreement with Namshi (photo), the fashion and lifestyle platform owned by Dubai’s ...
The China-Mediterranean Observer: MENA Countries and the Burgeoning U.S.-China Rivalry
This month, the research through the media of the broader Mediterranean region brought forth interesting developments in Chinese engagement with the countries of the area. Moreover, several media outlets show a continuing interest in the rivalry between China and the United States, and its possible consequences on ...
Hundreds of Thousands of Chinese Nationals in Africa Will Receive COVID-19 Vaccines
China will launch a new program to provide millions of COVID-19 vaccines to its nationals in Africa and elsewhere overseas, according to Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Wang added that Chinese expatriates would be vaccinated either by a Chinese-made jab or one from another country, but either way, ...
The U.S., China, Russia, and the UAE All Competing For Greater Access to Sudan’s Red Sea Ports
TWEET TRANSLATION:I am honored to welcome the USS Winston Churchill in Port Sudan. This historic visit shows the United States' support for the democratic transition in Sudan and our desire for a new era of cooperation and partnership with Sudan -- Brian Shukan, U.S. ...
Chinese State Media Gloats About Survey Results That Show China is More Popular Than the U.S. in MENA
Chinese state media outlets this weekend touted the findings of a recent Arab Barometer public opinion survey released in January, which showed much higher approval ratings for China compared to the United States. The survey in six Middle East and North ...