عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Gulf

Bahrain and China Elevate Ties to ‘Strategic Partnership’

President Xi Jinping of China receives the King of Bahrain, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, in Beijing. (BNA)
President Xi Jinping of China receives the King of Bahrain, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, in Beijing. (BNA)
TT
TT

Bahrain and China Elevate Ties to ‘Strategic Partnership’

President Xi Jinping of China receives the King of Bahrain, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, in Beijing. (BNA)
President Xi Jinping of China receives the King of Bahrain, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, in Beijing. (BNA)

China and Bahrain agreed on Friday to elevate their bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership marking a new phase of cooperation.
The agreement came during an official meeting between Bahrain King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The two sides reviewed ways to promote bilateral cooperation in various vital areas, particularly economy, trade, investment, and scientific sectors. They also discussed regional and international issues and developments, according to the Bahrain News Agency.
On Friday, a joint statement was issued in which the two sides expressed their satisfaction with the significant progress achieved in their bilateral relations.
They agreed to establish comprehensive strategic partnership relations and promote friendly cooperation in a manner that better serves the two peoples.
The Chinese side affirmed firm support for Manama's efforts to maintain the country's sovereignty, security, and stability, and categorically rejected any external forces interfering in Bahrain's internal affairs.
The Bahraini side emphasized its unwavering commitment to the One-China principle and its support for Beijing's efforts to maintain its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Bahrain praised President Xi Jinping's initiatives on "Global Development," "Global Security," and "Global Civilization."
The Chinese and Bahraini sides emphasized the importance of maintaining the international system with the United Nations at its core, and upholding the international order based on international law and the fundamental principles of international relations founded on the principles of the UN Charter.
The two sides agreed to expand interactions between their governmental and parliamentary bodies, exchange experiences in administration and governance, strengthen policy coordination, and continue to solidify mutual political trust.
The two countries consider that continuing Sino-Bahraini cooperation within the framework of the "Belt and Road Initiative" aims to enhance development and prosperity between the two nations.
Both sides affirmed that maintaining peace and stability in the Middle East and the Arabian Gulf serves the fundamental and long-term interests of the peoples in the region.
Bilateral Talks
The King of Bahrain affirmed during a meeting with Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang, his country's commitment to the path of peace to support stability in the region.
"As advocates of peace, tolerance, and human coexistence, we believe in the necessity of adopting a peaceful dialogue and diplomacy approach based on good neighborliness and non-interference in internal affairs”, said the King.
"We seek the return of diplomatic ties with Iran as a neighboring country, and we welcome your support for this endeavor to establish peace and restore stability in the region,” he added, stressing the need for joint efforts to swiftly address the repercussions of the Palestinian crisis.
The Bahraini King urged the international community and Security Council to take a “firm stance to stop the war on Gaza, paving the way to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict”.
He commended China's positions in recognizing Palestine as a full member state in the United Nations, and for its clear interest and great support for just Arab causes.

Most Viewed

 
 
Gulf

With Saudi Backing, Yemen Moves to Forge Southern Consensus and Restore State Authority in the North

Members of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council meet with the Saudi Defense Minister. Saba
Members of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council meet with the Saudi Defense Minister. Saba
TT
TT

With Saudi Backing, Yemen Moves to Forge Southern Consensus and Restore State Authority in the North

Members of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council meet with the Saudi Defense Minister. Saba
Members of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council meet with the Saudi Defense Minister. Saba

Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council took a series of far-reaching decisions on Thursday, including changes to its membership and the appointment of a new prime minister tasked with forming a new government, in a move aimed at reshaping power dynamics within the anti-Houthi camp and strengthening unified sovereign decision-making under declared Saudi support.

In a rapid sequence of decisions, the council revoked Faraj Al-Buhsani's membership, filled the resulting vacancies by appointing Lieutenant General Mahmoud Al-Subaihi and Dr. Salem Al-Khanbashi, accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Salem bin Braik’s government, and named Shaea Mohsen Al-Zandani to form a new cabinet.

The steps, which officials said were taken with Saudi Arabia playing a “decisive” role, are intended to normalize conditions in southern provinces, particularly Hadhramaut, and pave the way for a comprehensive south-to-south dialogue to be hosted in Riyadh.

The decision to strip Al-Buhsani of his membership in the Presidential Leadership Council was not merely a change in personnel, according to the legal reasoning published by official media, but a firm political and legal message.

The decision accused him of “breaching the principle of collective responsibility” and “challenging sovereign decisions.”

It said Al-Buhsani had “exploited his constitutional position to provide political and legal cover for illegal military movements” carried out by what it described as the dissolved Southern Transitional Council, including justifying the mobilization of forces from outside Hadhramaut to attack the province.

He was also accused of endorsing “unilateral measures” led by Aidarous al-Zubaidi, who has been referred to the public prosecutor on charges of high treason, actions that the decision said had contributed to undermining national unity.

The language of the ruling framed those actions as an “armed rebellion outside the framework of the state,” shifting the southern dispute from a political disagreement into a question of allegiance to state institutions and legitimacy.

The move was seen as a heavy blow to the dissolved Transitional Council and its supporters, reaffirming that southern demands must be pursued through constitutional and legal channels and through negotiations under Saudi sponsorship, rather than unilateral military action.

Rebalancing power

The appointment of Dr. Salem Al-Khanbashi, the governor of Hadhramaut, as a member of the Presidential Leadership Council while retaining his local post underscored the priority placed on stability in the oil-rich province.

In a previous interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Al-Khanbashi said the Saudi position had been “decisive” in the rapid withdrawal of Southern Transitional Council forces from Hadhramaut.

His elevation to the council is seen as recognition of his recent efforts and is expected to strengthen the government camp’s ability to manage political and security conditions in Hadhramaut and across southern Yemen.

The appointment of Lt. Gen. Mahmoud Al-Subaihi, a veteran military commander, was viewed as bolstering the representation of the professional military establishment within the council and sending a reassuring message to forces fighting on the front lines against the Houthis.

Officials said it could also be a step toward unifying military formations under the Ministry of Defense, a key Saudi and international demand.

Accepting the government's resignation and appointing Al-Zandani to form a new cabinet was aimed at renewing government performance to meet the demands of a new phase, shifting from crisis management to rebuilding institutions and improving services.

The move coincided with Saudi Arabia’s announcement of $90 million in financial support to pay salaries, in addition to covering military wages starting Sunday.

Broader context

The latest Yemeni moves cannot be separated from Saudi Arabia’s regional role. Alongside the internal decisions, Riyadh announced a new development package for Yemen worth 1.9 billion Saudi riyals, or about $500 million, and preparations to host a south-to-south dialogue conference, while continuing efforts to reunify military forces.

The Saudi strategy, according to officials, centers on supporting Yemen’s legitimate authority to impose control, unify armed forces, end armed activity outside the state, and facilitate inclusive southern dialogue under its sponsorship to reach a unified vision addressing the southern issue.

Saudi Arabia has also continued its development and humanitarian efforts, linking political stability in Yemen to improved services and living conditions to restore public confidence in state institutions.

These developments come as UN envoy Hans Grundberg has warned of the truce's fragility, stressing that the future of the south cannot be imposed by force.

The changes appear aimed at forging a more cohesive and unified southern leadership capable of entering decisive negotiations over the shape of Yemen’s future state, before turning to the long-delayed settlement in the north, where the Houthis continue to obstruct regional and international efforts to end the conflict and re-enter a peace process to restore stability across Yemen.

Gulf

Saudi King Leaves Hospital after Reassuring Medical Tests

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. SPA
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. SPA
TT
TT

Saudi King Leaves Hospital after Reassuring Medical Tests

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. SPA
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. SPA

The Royal Court said on Friday that Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud left King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Riyadh after completing medical examinations.

“The results were reassuring,” it said.

“May Allah protect the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and grant him continued health and well-being,” the statement added.

Gulf

Saudi Arabia Welcomes Start of the 2nd Phase of Gaza’s Comprehensive Peace Plan

FILE PHOTO: Palestinian girls walk past the rubble of residential buildings destroyed during the war, in Gaza City, January 16, 2026. REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Palestinian girls walk past the rubble of residential buildings destroyed during the war, in Gaza City, January 16, 2026. REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas/File Photo
TT
TT

Saudi Arabia Welcomes Start of the 2nd Phase of Gaza’s Comprehensive Peace Plan

FILE PHOTO: Palestinian girls walk past the rubble of residential buildings destroyed during the war, in Gaza City, January 16, 2026. REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Palestinian girls walk past the rubble of residential buildings destroyed during the war, in Gaza City, January 16, 2026. REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas/File Photo

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the announcement of the start of the second phase of the comprehensive peace plan, and the formation of the Palestinian National Committee for the Administration of the Gaza Strip as a temporary transitional body, established pursuant to Security Council Resolution 2803.

It also welcomed US President Donald Trump's announcement of the Peace Council, and expressed its appreciation for his leadership and efforts to stop the war in Gaza, his commitment to withdraw the Israeli army, prevent the annexation of any part of the West Bank, and push towards sustainable peace in the region.

The ministry commended the efforts of the mediators, Qatar, Egypt, and Türkiye.

It stressed the importance of supporting the work of the Interim Palestinian National Committee to carry out its tasks in managing the daily affairs of the residents of the Gaza Strip, while maintaining the institutional and geographical link between the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, ensuring the unity of Gaza, and rejecting any attempts to divide it.

The statement also stressed the need to establish the ceasefire, stop violations, ensure unrestricted humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip, speed up the launch of early recovery and reconstruction efforts throughout Gaza, and prepare for the return of the Palestinian National Authority to assume its responsibilities in the Gaza Strip, leading to an end to the Israeli occupation of all Palestinian land in Gaza and the West Bank, and the embodiment of an independent Palestinian state in line with United Nations resolutions, the Arab Peace Initiative, and the principle of the two-state solution.