15 September 2025
This edition of the Sino-Arabica Policy Monitor surveys diplomatic activity between China and the Mideast from 2 September to 14 September 2025.
The Policy Monitor draws cues primarily from Chinese-language releases issued by China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and regional embassies, as well as coverage from regional news agencies, supplemented with context from other official, semi-official, and journalistic sources.
Table of Contents
- SCO declaration calls for Iran’s WTO accession
- China, Egypt, Iran at BRICS Virtual Summit
- China issues statement on Mideast situation
II. Country-specific developments
This edition of the Sino-Arabica Policy Monitor has been prepared by Raphael Angieri, Omnia Musa, and Chenjie Song.
I. Interregional developments
- SCO issues declaration on multilateral trading system, with Iran among WTO accession priorities
At the Tianjin Summit on 1 September, the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) adopted its first stand-alone declaration on supporting the multilateral trading system. The statement reaffirmed member states’ commitment to a rules-based framework centered on the World Trade Organization (WTO), opposing measures that violate WTO principles and stressing the urgency of restoring a fully functioning dispute settlement mechanism.
The Declaration also underscored the importance of development, pledging support for developing countries and least developed countries’ integration into the system, including explicit backing for the early accession of Iran, Belarus, and Uzbekistan to the WTO. Other priorities included food security, resilient supply chains, e-commerce, and trade in services, with the declaration expressing hope for pragmatic outcomes at the 2026 WTO Ministerial Conference in Cameroon.
According to a Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) interpretation of the declaration released on 2 September, the document reflects the SCO’s “firm determination” to safeguard stability in global trade at a time of rising uncertainty. MOFCOM highlighted three features of the declaration:
1) Its high level, being the first issued directly by SCO heads of state; 2) Its timeliness, given recent moves by “some WTO members” to establish reciprocal tariffs; and 3) Its focus on development, including industrialization support for developing members and integration of least developed countries.
The ministry said China would work with SCO partners to advance “genuine multilateralism,” promote WTO reform in the “right direction,” and protect the legitimate interests of developing countries within an open world economy.
On 8 September, President Xi Jinping joined the BRICS Leaders’ Virtual Summit, chaired by Brazilian President Lula da Silva and attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, and UAE Crown Prince Khalid Bin Mohammed Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, with India and Ethiopia represented by senior officials.
Xi outlined his Global Governance Initiative as a complement to earlier Chinese proposals on development, security, and civilization, and urged BRICS to defend multilateralism, resist protectionism, and deepen “greater BRICS cooperation” in trade, finance, and technology. He emphasized that with nearly half the world’s population and 30 percent of global GDP, closer coordination among BRICS would enhance its ability to manage risks and expand global influence.
At a 11 September UN Security Council emergency session, Chinese Ambassador Fu Cong (傅聪) condemned Israel’s 9 September attack on Doha as a flagrant violation of Qatar’s sovereignty, international law, and the UN Charter. He stressed Qatar’s role as a key mediator in Gaza ceasefire talks and criticized Israel’s strike on a Hamas delegation just two days after a new U.S.-proposed ceasefire agreement was announced. Fu linked the deterioration of the situation to the “long-standing unbalanced stance” of certain external powers and urged major states to adopt a fair and responsible approach.
Fu reiterated that “military means and the abuse of force are not the way out,” demanding Israel halt operations in Gaza, fulfill its obligations as an occupying power under international humanitarian law, and restore humanitarian access. He called for the Security Council to act immediately on a pending resolution focused on Gaza’s humanitarian crisis, warning that the conflict’s nearly two-year duration has produced “unprecedented” suffering. China, he emphasized, will continue to push for a ceasefire, renewed negotiations, and a political solution grounded in international law.
Country-specific developments
1. Perso-Arab Gulf
IRAN
- Iranian president meets with Xi Jinping and Wang Huning in Beijing
On 2 September, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit and China’s WWII Victory Day celebrations, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. During the meeting, Xi remarked that China-Iran relations have “maintained steady development” despite the tests of “shifting international circumstances,” noting new results since the leaders’ last meeting in Kazan in 2024. Xi emphasized Iran’s importance within China’s Mideast diplomacy and pledged deeper cooperation across trade, investment, clean energy, and connectivity, alongside expanded cultural and people-to-people exchange.
Stressing that “force is not the right way to resolve differences,” Xi reaffirmed China’s support for Iran’s right to peaceful use of nuclear energy and its rejection of nuclear weapons, while calling for a negotiated solution to the nuclear issue that accommodates the “reasonable concerns” of all parties. He linked these positions to China’s newly announced Global Governance Initiative (GGI), urging Iran to cooperate with China in promoting a “more just and equitable system of global governance.”
According to the Chinese readout, Pezeshkian congratulated Xi on the successful SCO Summit in Tianjin, praised the GGI as far-sighted, and pledged Iran’s full support. He said Iran would continue to treat China as a comprehensive strategic partner regardless of shifts in the international situation, and emphasized shared opposition to unilateralism and “power politics.” Later on the same day, Pezeshkian met with Wang Huning, Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). Wang described the Xi-Pezeshkian meeting as “fruitful,” and promised that the CPPCC would play an active role in implementing the consensus reached at the leadership level.
On 9 September, Chinese MFA Spokesperson Lin Jian (林剑) welcomed the announcement by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi that Iran and the IAEA had reached an understanding on resuming safeguards monitoring cooperation.
Lin called it “a positive step” toward easing tensions over the Iranian nuclear issue and rebuilding trust. He stressed that the situation remains fragile and urged all parties to intensify diplomacy, engage in constructive dialogue, and avoid escalatory measures, with the goal of resuming negotiations and reaching a fair, durable solution that addresses the “reasonable concerns” of all sides.
Also on 9 September, Chinese Ambassador to Iran Cong Peiwu (丛培武) met with Iranian Foreign Ministry Assistant Minister and Director General for Asia-Pacific Affairs Ali-Asghar Mohammadi (علیاصغر محمدی). The two discussed implementing the consensus reached at the Xi-Pezeshkian summit in Beijing earlier that month and advancing the China-Iran comprehensive strategic partnership “in a steady and sustained way.” Mohammadi praised Xi’s Global Governance Initiative (GGI) expressing readiness to work with China to ensure its effective implementation.
IRAQ
On 10 September, China’s Consul General in Erbil Liu Jun (刘军) met with Chief of Staff to the Presidency of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq Fawzi Hariri (فوزي حريري). Liu outlined the “profound connotations and importance” of Xi Jinping’s Global Governance Initiative (GGI) introduced at the SCO Tianjin Summit. According to the Chinese readout, the two sides also exchanged views on regional developments including current hotspots.
KUWAIT
On 3 September, the Chinese Embassy in Kuwait and the recently established Kuwait-China Friendship Club held a founding ceremony attended by Chargé d’Affaires Liu Xiang (刘翔), the club’s honorary chairperson Sheikha Dr. Alanoud AlSabah (العنود الابراهيم الدعيج الصباح), and other members. Liu said the club would strengthen mutual understanding and people-to-people ties, and also highlighted Xi Jinping’s recent Global Governance Initiative (GGI) as part of China’s broader international agenda.
According to the Chinese readout, Sheikha Dr. Alanoud AlSabah described China as a peace-loving major power, commended the values reflected in the GGI, and emphasized the depth of traditional Kuwait-China friendship. She added that the club would actively contribute to promoting exchanges and cooperation.
On September 5, 2025, Liu Xiang (刘翔), Chargé d’Affaires at China’s Embassy in Kuwait, published an op-ed titled “Three Highlights of the SCO Summit in Tianjin” in both English and Arabic across a number of Kuwaiti newspapers, including Al-Anbaa (الأنباء), Al-Jarida (الجريدة), Al-Rai (الرأي), and the Arab Times.
In the piece, Liu pointed to three key outcomes of the SCO Summit in Tianjin:
1) President Xi Jinping’s launch of the Global Governance Initiative, presented as a fourth pillar alongside China’s earlier “global initiatives” on development, security, and civilization.
2) A collective stand for fairness and multilateralism, marked by a declaration on the 80th anniversaries of WWII’s end and the UN’s founding, reaffirming support for the UN and WTO-centered international order.
3) Concrete deliverables including adoption of a 10-year development strategy, agreement to establish four new security centers, a decision to create an SCO development bank, and six cooperation platforms with related action plans.
Liuy also noted that the bloc had also consolidated observer and dialogue partners, including Kuwait, into a new “SCO Partners” category, expanding membership to a total of 27 countries, and encouraged Kuwait and other partners to help advance outcomes of the Summit.
On 10-11 September, Chargé d’Affaires Liu Xiang (刘翔) met with the editors-in-chief of two major Kuwait newspapers—Al-Jarida’s Nasser al-Otaibi (ناصر العتيبي) and Al-Rai’s Waleed al-Jassim (وليد الجاسم)—to brief them on the GGI and discuss strengthening China-Kuwait media cooperation. According to the Chinese readout, both editors praised China’s objective stance on regional and international issues, described the GGI as embodying principles of sovereign equality and multilateralism, and expressed readiness to highlight China’s development achievements and international contributions in their coverage.
SAUDI ARABIA
On 2 September, Chinese Ambassador to Comoros Huang Zheng (黄峥) met with Saudi Ambassador Mohamed Gharamah Alshamrani (محمد غرامه الشمراني) in Moroni. Both sides pledged closer coordination to support the Emerging Comoros Plan 2030, with Huang framing cooperation around Xi Jinping’s principles of mutual benefit and Alshamrani highlighting Saudi-Comoros ties.
On 2 September, Chinese Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Chang Hua (常华) published a signed article in Al Arabiya (العربية) presenting Xi Jinping’s newly announced Global Governance Initiative (GGI), first introduced at the Tianjin SCO Summit. Chang outlined its five principles—sovereign equality, adherence to international law, multilateralism, people-centered development, and concrete action—and framed it as a complement to China’s earlier global initiatives. He linked the GGI to the SCO’s role in practicing multilateralism and emphasized cooperation with partner states such as Saudi Arabia in advancing its goals.
On 3 September, the Chinese Embassy in Riyadh brought together representatives of Chinese companies and the expatriate community to commemorate the 80th anniversary of China’s WWII Victory Day. Ambassador Chang Hua said the commemorative meeting and parade in Beijing demonstrated China’s determination to pursue peaceful development, safeguard sovereignty and territorial integrity, and uphold global stability, calling on participants to carry forward the spirit of resistance and contribute to implementation of China’s global initiatives. According to the Chinese MFA readout, attendees voiced patriotic sentiment and affirmed their commitment to supporting the cause of national rejuvenation.
- Chinese envoys publish WWII anniversary op-eds in Saudi media
On September 3, Chinese Consul General Wang Qimin (王奇敏) published an op-ed titled “Learning from History, Building a Peaceful Future Together” in Saudi Arabia’s prominent digital media outlet, Sabq (صحيفة سبق الإلكترونية). Marking the 80th anniversary of China’s WWII Victory Day, the piece emphasized the global significance of that struggle, China’s enduring commitment to peace, and the basis in international law for Chinese claims of sovereignty over Taiwan. Wang emphasized that China will continue to work with Saudi Arabia and the wider international community to support peaceful development, uphold multilateralism, and contribute to global stability through initiatives like the Belt and Road and cooperation within the UN framework.
On 4 September, Al Riyadh (جريدة الرياض) carried a special edition featuring Xi Jinping’s full commemorative speech delivered in Beijing, together with images of the ceremony and military parade. The edition also included a signed article by Ambassador Chang Hua titled “Remembering the Great Victory, Building a Better Future,” which underscored China’s role in the global anti-fascist war and linked the commemoration to current initiatives such as the Global Development Initiative and Global Governance Initiative. Chang reaffirmed China’s backing for a UN-centered international order and stressed the need to uphold the post-war framework, including the one-China principle.
On 9 September, Chinese Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Chang Hua (常华) met in Riyadh with Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-Rassi (عبدالرحمن الرسي), Saudi Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Multilateral International Affairs. Chang outlined President Xi Jinping’s Global Governance Initiative, pledging China’s commitment to building a fairer international order and advancing a community with a shared future for mankind, and reiterated China’s “principled stance” on the Palestinian issue. Per the Chinese readout, Al-Rassi affirmed Saudi Arabia’s support for multipolarity as an SCO partner and Global South country, and praised China’s position on Palestine.
YEMEN
On 2 September, in China, Chargé d’Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Yemen Shao Zheng (邵峥) met with Chairman of the Union of Yemeni Students in China Ahmed al-Kahali (أحمد الكهالي). Per a Chinese MFA readout, Shao inquired about the academic and living conditions of Yemeni students, and encouraged them to study diligently, build skills, and contribute to their homeland.
According to a release from the Yemeni Student Union, Al-Kahali presented statistics on Yemeni graduates, researchers, and patent holders in China, and proposed holding joint seminars with Chinese universities to promote research, as well as a “Yemeni-Chinese Innovation Exhibition.” He also raised visa-related difficulties, including the high cost and limited access to family visas (type T) due to the absence of a Chinese embassy in Yemen, and suggested a two-month humanitarian visa after graduation to allow students to seek further opportunities. The Union invited the Chinese side to attend its 14th annual conference and reiterated the call for a Chinese consulate in Aden and the granting of more scholarships for Yemeni students.
The following day, Shao invited Yemeni associates, including Military Attaché of the Yemeni Embassy in Saudi Arabia Major General Yahya Ahmed Al-Wael (يحيى أحمد الوعيل) and Yemeni students in China, to join him in watching the military parade commemorating China’s WWII Victory Day. Shao described the victory as a triumph of the Chinese people and of peoples worldwide, expressed hope that Yemen would achieve peace soon, affirming China’s readiness to support the peace process and strengthen traditional bilateral friendship.
- China-UN engagement on Yemen
On 8 September in Riyadh, Chargé d’Affaires to Yemen Shao Zheng joined consultations between UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg and the ambassadors of the five permanent members of the Security Council accredited to Yemen. Shao urged that the conflict be resolved through political and diplomatic means, reaffirmed China’s support for Grundberg’s mediation, and held a separate bilateral meeting with him. On 11 September, Shao also took part in an online briefing convened by UN Resident Coordinator for Yemen Julien Harneis, stressing China’s commitment to advancing the peace process and calling for the release of detained UN personnel.
- Economic and multilateral diplomacy on Yemen
On 9 September, Chargé d’Affaires Shao Zheng delivered video remarks at the official launch of the “Hadhramaut Economic and Social Development Plan 2025-2029” held in al-Mukalla, Hadhramaut. He pledged China would deepen its friendship with Yemen, provide humanitarian and reconstruction assistance within capacity, and invited Yemen to board China’s “development express train.”
The ceremony was attended virtually by Yemeni Prime Minister Salem Saleh bin Braik, who described the plan as a five-year roadmap centered on services, infrastructure, and productive sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, and energy, with the aim of moving beyond emergency relief toward sustainable development through governance reforms, improved services, and investment in infrastructure and productive industries Hadhramaut Governor Mabkhout Mubarak bin Madi (مبخوت مبارك بن ماضي) presented the plan as a blueprint to harness Hadhramout Governorate’s social and economic potential.
International participants included UN Resident Coordinator Julien Harneis, Saudi Ambassador Mohammed al-Jaber (محمد آل جابر) as represented by the engineer Hasan al-Atas (حسن العطاس), UAE Ambassador Mohammed Hamad al-Zaabi (محمد حمد الزعابي), and Japanese Ambassador Yoichi Nakashima (中島洋一).
The following day, Shao met in Riyadh with Saudi Ambassador to Yemen Mohammed al-Jaber, affirming China’s support for Yemen’s internationally recognized government and readiness to work with Saudi Arabia and the wider international community to restore stability. Per the Chinese readout, Al-Jaber praised China’s contributions to regional peace and development and expressed Saudi Arabia’s willingness to deepen coordination with Beijing on Yemen.
2. Greater Levant
EGYPT
On 8 September, Chinese Ambassador to Egypt and Permanent Representative to the Arab League Liao Liqiang (廖力强) published an op-ed in Egypt’s Al-Gomhuria (الجمهورية) marking the 80th anniversary of China’s WWII Victory Day. Liao highlighted China’s role in sustaining the Eastern front of the global anti-fascist struggle at enormous sacrifice, framing the victory as a turning point that inspired postwar anti-colonial movements and laid the foundations for later Sino-Egyptian solidarity.
Liao stressed the importance of defending the UN-centered postwar international order, reiterated China’s sovereignty over Taiwan as affirmed in the Cairo Declaration and subsequent UN resolutions, and praised Egypt’s consistent support on this issue. Looking forward, Liao invoked Xi Jinping’s vision of a community with a shared future for mankind, described China-Egypt relations as an example of a new type of international relations, and emphasized their shared responsibility as major developing countries. He concluded by pledging that Beijing and Cairo would inject fresh momentum into China-Arab and China-Africa cooperation while jointly opposing unilateralism and contributing to global peace and development.
On 10 September, the Chinese Embassy in Egypt held a symposium at Cairo’s Mena House Hotel—site of the 1943 Cairo Declaration between the United States, the United Kingdom, and China—marking both the 80th anniversary of the World Anti-Fascist War victory and the 2025 SCO Tianjin Summit outcomes.
Chargé d’Affaires Zhang Tao (张涛) underscored China’s view of the Cairo Declaration as a foundational post-war document affirming its sovereignty over Taiwan. He emphasized the global significance of China’s wartime role and called for deeper cooperation under the Global Governance Initiative to promote peace and stability. Over 80 participants reportedly attended, including senior Egyptian and Arab League officials, as well as representatives from political parties, think tanks, universities, and the media.
ISRAEL
On 10 September, the Chinese Embassy in Israel hosted a reception for the PRC’s 76th National Day, attended by Minister of Culture and Sports Miki Zohar, former President Reuven Rivlin, former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, and over 400 guests. Ambassador Xiao Junzheng (肖军正) highlighted China’s Global Governance Initiative and achievements under the 14th Five-Year Plan, expressing Beijing’s willingness to work with Israel to steadily advance the China-Israel Innovative Comprehensive Partnership. Zohar congratulated China on its National Day and praised the record of bilateral cooperation, voicing hope for continued development of ties.
Also on 10 September, at a MFA press conference, spokesperson Lin Jian (林剑) issued a condemnation of Israel’s 9 September attack on Hamas targets in Doha, calling the strikes a “grave violation of Qatar’s territorial sovereignty and national security” and warning it risked further escalation of the regional situation. He criticized actions “deliberately undermining Gaza ceasefire negotiations” and urged Israel to halt military operations, resume talks, and restore regional stability. Lin also linked the incident to the “long-standing, seriously unbalanced positions” of certain external powers, urging major states to adopt a fairer stance and contribute constructively to ceasefire efforts.
PALESTINE
On 14 September, Zeng Jixin (曾继新), Head of China’s Office in Palestine, published an op-ed in Al-Quds (جريدة القدس) outlining the Global Governance Initiative (GGI) introduced by President Xi Jinping at the SCO’s Tianjin Summit. Zeng stressed that Palestine, as the longest unresolved international issue since WWII, has suffered “historical injustice” and thus feels acutely the shortcomings of current global governance. He highlighted that the Palestinian presidency has formally welcomed the GGI, a position China “highly appreciates.” Zeng reiterated China’s support for the Palestinian people’s legitimate national rights and pledged to work with the international community to return the issue to the two-state solution track for a comprehensive and just settlement.
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