The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and China held a Senior Officials Meeting in Riyadh on Thursday, bringing together foreign ministry officials from GCC member states, a Chinese delegation, and the GCC General Secretariat to advance their strategic partnership and discuss pressing regional security issues.
The meeting was held at the GCC Secretariat headquarters and marks a continuation of the cooperation framework established at the first GCC-China Summit held in Riyadh in 2022.
GCC Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs and Negotiations Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Uwasyshiq said the meeting falls within the framework of the strategic partnership between the GCC and China, and is a direct follow-up to outcomes of the 2022 Riyadh summit.
Both sides reviewed cooperation under their Joint Action Plan for 2023-2027 and exchanged views on the future direction of GCC-China relations.
Critically, this meeting also addressed Iran’s actions against GCC member states and their consequences for regional security and stability.
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Discussions covered a range of political and security topics including the security of maritime corridors and navigation, energy security, and counterterrorism.
Both sides affirmed the importance of continuing dialogue and coordination on regional and international issues of mutual interest, and of supporting efforts to enhance security and stability in the region.
The GCC-China relationship has grown significantly in recent years. China is the Gulf region’s largest trading partner and a major buyer of Gulf oil and gas, making it a natural and important diplomatic partner of the six-member bloc comprising Suadi-Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman.
The discussion of Iran’s actions against GCC states is particularly significant given the ongoing US-Iran war and its impact on the region.
While China has maintained relations with Iran, the GCC’s willingness to raise this issue directly with Beijing reflects the seriousness with which Gulf states view Iranian activities, and their expectation that China, as a major power with influence in Tehran, plays a constructive role in stabilizing the region.
The meeting also comes at a time when maritime security in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz remains a live concern, while shipping disruptions from the Iran war continuing to affect global energy supplies and trade routes that both the GCC and China depend on.
