The official visit of Haitham bin Tariq, Sultan of Oman, to the People's Republic of China marks a turning point in Oman-China relations. This visit reflects the depth of the historical and civilizational ties between the two countries, which have continued for over a millennium through maritime trade routes. These routes have provided bridges for communication and exchange between the two nations.
Strengthening Strategic Cooperation
This visit is of special significance; it contributes to the ongoing transformation of bilateral relations and provides broader horizons for deepening strategic cooperation. Thus, closer grounds for collaboration in political, economic, investment, cultural, and scientific fields are established.
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Economically, this visit creates new opportunities for expanding cooperation and attracting more Chinese investments to Oman. Additionally, both sides can benefit from Oman's competitive advantages, such as its strategic location, special economic zones, modern infrastructure, and prospects in industry, renewable energies, green hydrogen, technology, and logistics.
Historical Background of Oman-China Relations
The relations between the two countries are based on a historical depth of about 1200 years. Omanis have played a central role in navigation and maritime trade along the Silk Road, with official sources attributing the connection to the arrival of Omani merchant Abu Ubaidah Abdullah bin al-Qasim in Canton (present-day Guangzhou) from Sohar around 750 AD. Furthermore, the voyages of the Chinese explorer Zheng He to Oman in the 15th century also testify to the sustained civilizational and maritime contacts between the two nations.
Official diplomatic relations were established on May 25, 1978, and since then, they have been characterized by stability, mutual understanding, and respect. Cooperation has gradually expanded in diplomatic, economic, commercial, investment, cultural, scientific, and technical fields.
On the fortieth anniversary of these relations in 2018, the relationship was elevated to a strategic partnership, and a memorandum of understanding was signed for cooperation within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative. Consequently, cooperation expanded into energy, infrastructure, investment, finance, science and technology, logistical communications, and cultural exchange.
Relations are managed through periodic strategic consultations between the two foreign ministries, held alternately in Muscat and Beijing. The fourteenth round of these consultations will take place on April 21, 2025, in Beijing, chaired by Sheikh Khalifa bin Ali al-Harthy, Oman’s Deputy Foreign Minister, and his Chinese counterpart, HE Liu Bin. This model reflects Oman's approach to diversifying partnerships and expanding its strategic options.
Future Steps in Cooperation
The Oman-China Cooperation Committee held its tenth meeting on December 29, 2025, in Beijing. This meeting particularly emphasized cooperation in e-commerce and logistics through smart warehouses and distribution centers in special and free economic zones in Duqm, Sohar, and Salalah. Additionally, this meeting contributed to concluding negotiations on a free trade agreement between China and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and provided memorandums of understanding for connecting industrial production chains and deepening investments.
The Oman-China Friendship Association, established on October 31, 2010, provides a platform for communication between institutions and individuals in both countries. This association promotes cultural, economic, scientific, and sports cooperation and people-to-people exchange, complementing the work of the China-Oman Friendship Society.
The Sultan of Oman’s visit to China is considered a milestone in the relations between the two countries, reflecting a shared political will to elevate strategic partnership to broader horizons. According to Anwar bin Ahmed Maqbali, Oman’s ambassador to the People's Republic of China, this visit is regarded as a new historical starting point in the path of relations between the two countries.
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