POLITICAL ISSUES
EGYPT
1) Cultural Year boosts China, Egypt relations
Guangzhou, Thursday, 19 January 2017
President of China, Xi Jinping said that the 2016 Chinese-Egyptian cultural year has helped to boost bilateral relations and expressed China’s willingness to strengthen bilateral cultural ties for better strategic partnership.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

SYRIA
2) China’s special envoy on the Syrian issue attempts to bring political solution
Beijing, Wednesday, 4 January 2017
A special Chinese envoy on the Syrian issue would travel to Geneva, the European Union, Turkey and Russia and make effort to reach a political solution to the Syrian crisis.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

3) China urges Damascus and opposition forces to resume peace talks
Beijing, Thursday, 5 January 2017
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang urged Damascus and oppositional forces to follow UNSC Resolution 2336 and said that both sides should stop accusing each other and work together, for the implementation of the ceasefire and try to bring stability in Syria.
Source: China Daily, Beijing

4) China expects Astana talks on Syria to progress
Beijing, Friday, 20 January 2017
China has expressed its hope for some positive outcomes, from the upcoming dialogue on the Syrian issue, which would be taking place in Astana, Kazakhstan. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said, "China is positive about all proposals and plans that will be conducive to the political solution to the Syria issues" and added that China would continue to support peace and stability in Syria.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

ECONOMIC ISSUES
ISRAEL
5) Amir Halevi, Director-General of Israel’s Ministry of Tourism visits Shanghai
Beijing, Thursday, 19 January 2017
Amir Halevi on his visit to Shanghai stated China is the most important target customers for Israel Tourism and that 2017, which would mark the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, would see more steps by the Ministry of tourism to attract Chinese tourists.
Source: Global Times, Beijing

TURKEY
6) China and Turkey signs agreement on heavy machineries
Beijing, Wednesday, 4 January 2017
The Northern Heavy Industries (Group) Co (NHI), one of China’s top-three heavy machinery producers has signed a cooperation agreement with company in Turkey on six shield machine exports. This would help NHI to expand its market in Turkey and would boost the bilateral relations.
Source: China Daily, Beijing

7) Bank of China approved to open deposit bank in Turkey
Ankara, Friday, 13 January 2017
Banking regulation and Supervision Agency stated that Bank of China has received permission to open a deposit bank in Turkey and this would boost economic relations between the two countries.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

UAE
8) Chinese firms expands in Dubai commodities free zone
Dubai, Sunday, 15 January 2017
Several agreements between Dubai's Multi Commodities Center (DMCC) and Chinese entities have boosted the economic relation between the two. Both UAE and China are looking forward to expanding trade and cooperation.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

MISCELLANEOUS
IRAQ
9) Chinese premier announces humanitarian aid to Iraq
Beijing, Wednesday, 11 January 2017
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has sent a letter to Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, offering 70 million Yuan as humanitarian aid and expressed that China hopes to see stability in Iraq.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

TUNISIA
10) Northeast China's Tonghua eager to promote its unique tourism
Beijing, Sunday, 22 January 2017
Chinese Journalist along with other foreigners made a short trip to Tonghua city in Northeast Jilin province. The group of foreigners includes large number of people from Tunisia and they interacted with the people and took part in the local cultural activities.
Source: China Daily, Beijing

TURKEY
11) China and Turkey cooperates to fight terrorism
Beijing, Tuesday, 3 January 2017
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang expressed China’s willingness to work with Turkey and the international community to fight against terrorism. The statement came when asked about an attack in a nightclub in Istanbul that injured many people.
Source: Xinhua, Beijing

COMPILED BY MINAKSHI SARDAR

Minakshi Sardar is a Doctoral candidate at School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. Email

As part of its editorial policy, the MEI@ND standardizes spelling and date formats, to make the text uniformly accessible and stylistically consistent. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views/positions of the MEI@ND. Editor, MEI@ND: P R Kumaraswamy