China-Gulf energy ties pivot to sustainability amid Hormuz tensions

The article suggests that the ongoing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz should encourage China and Gulf countries to develop a more comprehensive energy collaboration. The emphasis should not only be on ensuring steady oil trade but also on advancing renewable energy, energy storage, electric vehicles, industrial localization, and green financing. In 2024, trade between China and Arab nations reached an impressive US$407.4 billion, establishing China as the leading trading partner for the Arab world. In the first seven months of the previous year, trade with Arab League countries soared to a record US$241.6 billion. Current relations extend to sectors such as infrastructure, IT, ports, logistics, manufacturing, and green energy, with Gulf nations like Saudi Arabia and the UAE eager to diversify their economies and attract high-tech manufacturing, aided by Hong Kong's strategic position.