China-GCC High-Level Meeting Held in Riyadh, Strait of Hormuz Situation Discussed

RIYADH: A high-level meeting between China and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) was held in the Saudi capital Riyadh, where participants discussed measures to further strengthen the strategic partnership between China and the Gulf states, along with the latest regional developments.

The ongoing war involving Iran, particularly the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, was a key issue discussed at the meeting. According to Arab News, China is among the countries significantly affected by the closure of the strategic waterway after the Gulf states, as a substantial portion of China’s imported oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz.

Beijing has condemned Iranian attacks on Gulf states and undertaken diplomatic efforts at various levels to help end the escalation and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. However, these efforts have so far failed to produce any significant breakthrough.

The meeting also discussed China’s position at the United Nations Security Council and developments concerning freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. In March, China abstained from a resolution condemning Iranian attacks and disruptions to international shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Later, China and Russia vetoed a resolution put forward by Gulf states concerning freedom of navigation.

Participants also discussed the possibility of China playing a more active role in maritime diplomacy in the region. Beijing maintains close relations with Iran while also supporting safe and unhindered navigation through key waterways, including the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb.

Growing economic ties between China and the GCC were another major topic. Bilateral trade, which stood at around $2 billion in 1992, increased to approximately $319 billion last year, accounting for nearly 19 percent of the Gulf states’ total foreign trade. China has been the GCC’s largest trading partner for more than a decade.

The meeting also reviewed progress toward concluding a China-GCC free trade agreement. The proposed agreement is expected to reduce or eliminate tariffs on most goods and provide businesses on both sides with greater access to each other’s markets.

China and the GCC established their strategic partnership during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Saudi Arabia in 2022. Since then, cooperation has expanded beyond trade and investment to political and strategic affairs, security, defence, emergency response, space exploration and nuclear energy.

The meeting also considered practical proposals to advance the China-GCC strategic partnership in political, security, economic and cultural fields. The proposals are expected to be submitted for approval by the foreign ministers of the GCC member states later this year, while preparations are also underway for a future China-GCC summit.