Facing persistent trade frictions with Western powers, China is intensifying its economic engagements with key partners across the globe. A summit this week involving leaders from ASEAN, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and China is the most recent example of such effort.

Last week, Chinese President Xi Jinping and President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met in Beijing, leading to the signing of 19 collaboration documents and one joint statement.

At the Economic and Trade Ministers' Meetings of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and China held last week, hopes were renewed for the conclusion of a trade agreement.

At today's press conference, an official from China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) vowed more China-Arab collaboration. This came after the conclusion of the Arab-China business conference, at which over 20 agreements and deals were signed.

Chinese President Xi Jinping attended two summits with Arab nations last week in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: the China-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit and the China-Arab Summit. At the summits, Xi called for boosting trade with Arab states to US$430 billion by 2027 and promised more trade facilitation and development

The Chinese government and the Saudi Arabian government signed a series of investment agreements and documents to further cooperation on energy, information technology, and infrastructure during Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Saudi Arabia this week.

The Chinese foreign minister and his GCC counterparts met this week, with the two sides agreeing to "reach [] common ground" on a trade agreement "at an early date."