Bahrain’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, received Zhai Jun, Special Envoy of the Chinese Government on Middle East Affairs, during an official meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Manama as part of the envoy’s visit to the Kingdom.
The discussions focused on the longstanding diplomatic and economic relations between Bahrain and the People’s Republic of China, as well as the latest regional developments affecting the Gulf.
Regional Security and Recent Attacks Discussed
During the meeting, both sides reviewed the ongoing regional situation, including the recent Iranian missile and drone attacks targeting Bahrain and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states. Officials discussed the resulting human and material losses and the broader implications for regional stability, energy security, maritime navigation, and international trade routes.
The talks come amid heightened tensions in the Gulf region, where attacks on energy facilities and infrastructure have raised concerns about disruptions to global oil markets and shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical maritime corridors for energy supplies.
Cooperation Through the United Nations
The two sides also explored ways to strengthen cooperation through international institutions, particularly the United Nations Security Council, where both countries frequently coordinate on key regional and global issues.
Officials emphasized the importance of diplomatic dialogue and multilateral cooperation in addressing security challenges and maintaining stability across the Middle East.
China has increasingly positioned itself as a diplomatic actor in the region in recent years, advocating for peaceful solutions to conflicts and greater international cooperation on security and development issues.
Strong Bahrain–China Relations
Bahrain and China share expanding ties across multiple sectors, including trade, investment, infrastructure development, and energy cooperation. China is one of Bahrain’s major trading partners and a key participant in projects connected to the Belt and Road Initiative, which aims to strengthen economic connectivity across Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
Over the past decade, cooperation between the two countries has grown in areas such as logistics, financial services, technology, and industrial development, reflecting Bahrain’s strategic role as a regional business and financial hub.
Officials in Attendance
The meeting was attended by several senior officials from Bahrain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including:
- Ambassador Shaikh Abdullah bin Ali Al Khalifa, Director-General of Bilateral Relations
- Ambassador Saeed Abdulkhaleq Saeed, Head of the Coordination and Follow-up Sector
- Ambassador Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Acting Head of the Asian Affairs Sector
The visit highlights Bahrain’s ongoing diplomatic engagement with global partners as the Kingdom works to promote regional stability and safeguard international economic and trade interests.
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