China’s new Foreign Relations Law is meant to guide and govern the country’s foreign policy – a de facto TOOLBOX to handle issues related to external relations. It is designed to act as a “deterrent” to sanctions and is needed urgently to safeguard national sovereignty and security. In March this year, President Xi Jinping hit out at the string of sanctions the US and its European allies have been slapping on China. In a blunt like never before tone, Xi described these measures as a means of “all-around containment, encirclement and suppression of China”, signaling a possibly harder stance against what he perceives as an effort by the United States to block China’s rise. This speech apparently set the stage for the new  Foreign Relations Law (passed on June 28) that has transformed Xi’s views in to a law in a difficult geo-political and challenging commercial environment. The law is meant to guide and govern the country’s foreign policy – a de facto TOOLBOX to handle issues related to external relations. It is designed to act as a “deterrent” to sanctions and is needed urgently to safeguard national sovereignty and security. It says Beijing has the right to “take measures to counter and restrict actions that endanger the country’s sovereignty, security, and development interests, violate international law or “fundamental norms of international relations.” It also authorises the State Council – the country’s cabinet – and the executive branches of government to come up with regulations and systems to apply the countermeasure on issues such as US-led export controls on advanced technology. It calls on state agencies charged with, executing Xi’s vision to strengthen interdepartmental coordination and cooperation to enforce the retaliatory measures. The State Council, which coordinates China’s government ministries, is authorized to “establish related working institutions.” As expected, the law drew criticism from US and European officials and experts, warning it will...

The new law stipulates that Beijing has the right to take measures to counter and restrict actions (initiated by the West) that endanger the country’s sovereignty, security, and development interests and violate international law or fundamental norms of international relations. On June 28th, 2023, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China passed The Foreign Relations Law. According to President Xi`s senior diplomacy advisor Wang Yi, the law aims to safeguard national sovereignty and act as a deterrent against sanctions. The new law stipulates that Beijing has the right to take measures to counter and restrict actions (initiated by the West) that endanger the country’s sovereignty, security, and development interests and violate international law or fundamental norms of international relations. The law has come into effect since July 1st and encompasses President Xi`s signature foreign policy initiatives, i.e., global security, development, and civilization. In essence, the new law is to shield itself and counter the West`s sanctions hegemony. It has been passed at a crucial time, with US-China relations at a low, especially after the US President branding President Xi as a dictator, the spy balloon saga, and China`s continued support for President Putin in Russia’s war against Ukraine. China sees ongoing hostile American efforts to suppress its development. In a recent meeting with US Secretary Blinken, President Xi told the US envoy that Washington must not hurt China`s legitimate rights and interests or deprive it of its right to development. It follows US export controls on high-tech goods and its efforts to reduce reliance on Chinese suppliers in sensitive sectors. In recent months, the US has blacklisted Chinese companies, pushed its allies to restrict the export of semiconductors and de-risk its supply chain. China has viewed this as a direct attack. To demonstrate to the US its point, China, too, has begun its sanctions. In February...

The summit aimed to enhance commercial and diplomatic ties between China and Arab countries. On the first day of the conference, investment agreements worth $10 billion were signed. The investment agreements covered various sectors such as technology, agriculture, renewable energy, real estate, natural resources, and tourism On 11th June 2023, the China-Arab business conference was held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The meeting happened amidst the expanding commercial and diplomatic relationships between Beijing and Middle Eastern nations, including a recent historic reconciliation between regional powerhouses Iran and Saudi Arabia mediated by China that has changed regional relations. The summit aimed to enhance commercial and diplomatic ties between China and Arab countries. The event brought together over 3,500 government and business officials from both sides. On the first day of the conference, investment agreements worth $10 billion were signed. The majority of the investment deals were focused on projects in Saudi Arabia or involved Saudi firms and government entities. A significant portion of the $10 billion included a $5.6 billion memorandum of understanding between the Saudi investment ministry and Human Horizons, a Chinese electric and self-driving car manufacturer. Specific deals mentioned in the statement included a $533 million agreement between AMR ALuwlaa Company and Zhonghuan International Group for an iron factory in Saudi Arabia, Also, a $500 million cooperation agreement was signed on copper mining between Saudi ASK Group and the China National Geological & Mining Corp. Major deals in Major Sectors – Technology, Agriculture, Renewable Energy, Real Estate, Natural Resources and Tourism Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan highlighted the potential in increased trade and economic ties between China and Arab countries. “This meeting is an opportunity… to build a shared future towards a new, beneficial era for our peoples,” he said. He...