Xinhua News Agency

Middle East Travel Alerts

Houthis Warn International Airlines Against Saudi Airspace Amid Escalating Yemen Conflict

Indian nationals planning to perform Umrah in Saudi Arabia have been urged to check their flight status regularly due to air travel disruptions, particularly via Jeddah and Madinah. The Consulate General of India in Jeddah has established a 24-hour control room to assist affected passengers. Pilgrims with uncertain arrangements have been advised to review travel plans to avoid unexpected extended stays.

China–UAE News

UAE Date Palms Bear Fruit Across Inland Chinese Regions as Cultivation Expands

Date palm varieties donated by the UAE have produced fruit in inland regions of China for the first time following earlier yields in Hainan Province. The harvest concluded across experimental cultivation bases in Hainan, Yunnan, and Sichuan provinces, marking progress in bilateral agricultural cooperation. The project stems from the UAE's 2019 commitment to provide 100,000 date palm seedlings to support Chinese agricultural diversification and food security.

Industry News

Iran Reaffirms Diplomatic Stance Over Strait of Hormuz Following US Ceasefire Rejection

Iran stated it remains committed to diplomacy while prepared to confront aggression after US President Donald Trump rejected its ceasefire road map for the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran proposed a seven-day truce involving the reopening of the waterway on the sixth day in exchange for specific US steps, including unfreezing Iranian assets. Iranian military commanders maintained that naval forces retain decisive control over waters leading into the strategic strait.

Industry News

China and Saudi Arabia Expand Seawater Desalination and Engineering Collaboration

Saudi utility developer ACWA Power and Chinese partners plan to expand engineering and technological collaboration in seawater desalination. Speaking at the 2026 World Marine Development Forum in Qingdao, an ACWA Power executive highlighted opportunities in mineral extraction from brine and advanced membrane research.