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The Ashgabat forum in Turkmenistan brought together Russian President Vladimir Putin, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and Iranian President M...
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has begun a multi-nation diplomatic tour of the Middle East, showing Beijing’s deepening engagement in a region undergoing conflicts, shifting alliances and major geopolitical realignments.
The trip, spanning December 12 to 16, includes official visits to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Jordan, three key partners for China’s expanding political and economic agenda in the Arab world.
According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Wang is traveling at the invitation of his counterparts in each country - the UAE’s Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Saudi Arabia’s Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and Jordan’s Ayman Safadi.
The tour aims to consolidate political trust, strengthen economic ties and broaden cooperation in trade, investment, energy, infrastructure and people-to-people exchanges. Beijing has framed the visits as part of its effort to “expand cooperation across multiple fields” and reinforce what it describes as longstanding friendships with Arab nations.
A major component of the trip is expected to be China’s diplomatic push on regional security issues. Wang will hold consultations on the Iran nuclear question, reiterating Beijing’s long-standing call for a political and diplomatic settlement to prevent further escalation.
China has increasingly positioned itself as a neutral broker in Middle Eastern affairs, advocating dialogue over confrontation and emphasizing non-interference and multilateralism.
Officials in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Jordan have welcomed Wang’s arrival, seeing the trip as an opportunity to deepen cooperation and explore new areas of partnership.
As Wang continues his journey, potential announcements are expected on strategic agreements, expanded economic initiatives and China’s stance on ongoing regional crises - developments likely to influence Middle East diplomacy in the year ahead.
Japan has lifted a tsunami advisory issued after an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.9 hit the country's northeastern region on Friday (12 December), the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said. The JMA had earlier put the earthquake's preliminary magnitude at 6.7.
Iran is preparing to host a multilateral regional meeting next week in a bid to mediate between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The United States issued new sanctions targeting Venezuela on Thursday, imposing curbs on three nephews of President Nicolas Maduro's wife, as well as six crude oil tankers and shipping companies linked to them, as Washington ramps up pressure on Caracas.
Iran's President Massoud Pezeshkian has begun a two day visit to Kazakhstan, with officials from both sides describing the trip as an opportunity to advance cooperation in trade, transport, industry, mining and cultural exchanges.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged Afghanistan and Pakistan to resolve their tensions through dialogue and engagement, as it pledged to work with the international community to help improve relations between the two countries.
The Ashgabat forum in Turkmenistan brought together Russian President Vladimir Putin, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, raising questions about whether Russia remains connected to regional partners despite Western sanctions.
A bulk carrier struck during a Russian attack on Ukraine’s southern coast on Friday is owned by a Turkish company, a source familiar with the incident told Reuters.
Pakistan and China are conducting a joint counterterrorism exercise, Warrior IX, to strengthen military cooperation. The drill comes at a time of renewed regional instability, with analysts saying it underscores both countries’ determination to deepen security ties.
A former estate of drug lord Pablo Escobar, now a wildlife park in Colombia, has marked Christmas by setting animals festive feeding challenges designed to boost their mental and physical health.
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