Chinese President Xi Jinping held official bilateral talks with Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tarik at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on November 2, 2026. President Xi stated that the Middle East and Gulf region should not become an arena for great-power rivalry or geopolitical conflict, according to China's Foreign Ministry. In a 20-point joint statement, both nations called for the resumption of normal and safe commercial navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
During the state visit—the first by an Omani head of state to China since diplomatic relations were established in 1978—Sultan Haitham expressed openness toward negotiating a preferential bilateral trade and investment agreement with China. He noted that such a framework could generate fresh commercial and investment opportunities between the two nations.
The joint statement detailed plans to deepen cooperation in oil and natural gas while expanding initiatives in renewable energy, encompassing solar power, wind energy, energy storage, and electricity transmission. China remains Oman's largest trading partner, with both sides seeking to enhance energy supply chain integration and digital commerce.
Alongside the presidential summit, Omani ministers met with executives from Chinese companies to discuss investments aligned with Oman Vision 2040 and the National Digital Economy Programme. Priority sectors identified during the meetings included transport, logistics, communications, artificial intelligence, and drone-based air transport.
Sources
- The National · 2026-11-02
