Oman, China discuss strategic relations in political, economic sectors

Khalifa Ali Al-Harthy, the undersecretary of the Omani foreign ministry for political affairs, and Liu Bin, the Chinese assistant minister of foreign affairs, led their respective delegations. (ONA)
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Updated 22 April 2025
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Oman, China discuss strategic relations in political, economic sectors

  • China commended Oman’s role ‘in promoting the settlement of regional hotspot issues’
  • Two sides discussed their bilateral cooperation in political, economic and cultural fields

LONDON: Oman and China held the 14th round of strategic consultations in Beijing to deepen their political, economic and cultural cooperation this week.

Khalifa Ali Al-Harthy, the undersecretary of the Omani foreign ministry for political affairs, and Liu Bin, the Chinese assistant minister of foreign affairs, led their respective delegations.

The two sides discussed their bilateral cooperation in political, economic and cultural fields on Monday, exploring ways to enhance strategic relations, the Oman News Agency reported.

Special Envoy Zhai Jun, of the Chinese government on the Middle East issue, said that the strategic partnership between Beijing and Muscat had continued to develop steadily, with successful cooperation in various fields.

“China appreciates the important role played by Oman in promoting the settlement of regional hotspot issues and easing regional tensions,” Jun said, according to a statement on the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website.

Khalifa met Jun and Zhang Xiaoqiang, executive vice chairman of the China Center for International Economic Exchanges and vice chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission, the ONA reported.

Nasser Mohammed Al-Busaidi, the Omani ambassador to China, and Abdulaziz Mohammed Al-Hosni, head of the Asia and Pacific Department at the Foreign Ministry, attended the consultations session.


Iran opens trial of dual national accused of spying for Israel

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Iran opens trial of dual national accused of spying for Israel

  • The defendant entered Iran about a month before the 12-day war in June, during which Israel and the US struck Iranian nuclear facilities
DUBAI: The trial of a dual national holding European citizenship has begun in Iran, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported on Monday, saying they were indicted for “intelligence cooperation and espionage in favor of the Zionist regime (Israel).”
According to the Alborz provincial attorney general, the defendant — whose identity has not been disclosed — entered Iran about a month before the 12-day war in June, during which Israel and the US struck Iranian nuclear facilities.
They were arrested on the fourth day of the conflict by the elite Revolutionary Guards.
“Sophisticated spy and intelligence items and equipment were discovered in their villa in Karaj,” the attorney general said, adding that the charges under investigation carry penalties for “waging war against God” and “corruption on earth” — offenses often punishable by death.
In recent years, the Revolutionary Guards have detained dozens of dual nationals and foreigners, mostly on espionage and security-related charges.
Rights groups and some Western countries have accused the Islamic Republic of using such arrests to gain leverage in negotiations. Tehran denies arresting people for political reasons.