A recent Omani‑Chinese Friendship Forum held in Salalah reaffirmed the depth of historical ties and pointed to new avenues for expanded bilateral collaboration across trade, investment, culture, education and technology.

1. Historical Foundations and Regional Significance

• The forum, organized by the Oman‑China Friendship Association, the Chinese Embassy in Oman, and Al Roya newspaper, emphasized Salalah’s legacy as a key node along the ancient Maritime Silk Road. Over 600 years ago, Chinese navigator Zheng He visited Salalah, inaugurating centuries of exchange involving silk, porcelain, frankincense, and regional spices.
• The event, titled “New Tracks of Cooperation Pave the Way for a Common Future”, underscored Oman’s role as a historical and strategic bridge between Arab and Chinese civilizations

Trade and Investment Momentum

• Officials revealed that bilateral commercial cooperation exceeded USD 40.45 billion, while Chinese direct investment in Oman surpassed USD 6.6 billion, approximately 76% of which fell within energy and petrochemicals sectors.
• From January to May 2024, trade volume grew over 8% year‑on‑year, exceeding USD 15 billion—highlighting a steady upward trend in economic engagement.

Strategic Consultations Reinforce Comprehensive Partnership

3. Diplomatic Engagement: 14th Strategic Consultations

• On April 21, 2025, the Omani and Chinese foreign ministries convened the 14th round of strategic consultations in Beijing, led respectively by Sheikh Khalifa Alharthy and Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Bin.
• Both sides reaffirmed commitment to the one‑China policy and pledged to deepen cooperation across multiple sectors: energy, economy, trade, investment, science & technology, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges.
• They also discussed coordination on regional and international issues, highlighting the expanded political trust underlying the strategic partnership

Areas of Momentum and Strategic Potential

Historical Narrative as a Basis for Modern Strategy

By framing historical maritime ties alongside Belt and Road cooperation, both sides are linking cultural diplomacy with real-world economic cooperation. Salalah’s location is particularly symbolic, reinforcing Oman’s ambition as a maritime-logistical hub in regional connectivity.

Economic Diversification & Sectoral Growth

• Chinese investment is concentrated in energy and petrochemicals, but expanding into new energy, mining, ICT and infrastructure aligns with Oman Vision 2040 initiatives and Belt and Road priorities.
• Collaboration in science, research and educational exchange is also growing, including MoUs on innovation, student exchange, and AI-oriented programs.

Regional Diplomacy and Global Positioning

• Oman and China are enhancing coordination on regional hotspots and global diplomacy, presenting a united front on issues of shared interest. This aligns with both countries’ emphasis on regional stability and multilateral engagement

Looking Ahead: Strategic Levers and Future Prospects

1. Deepening economic integration: Expect increased collaboration in energy transition, infrastructure, digital economy, logistics, and renewable energy—areas central to Oman’s economic roadmap and Chinese investment strategy.
2. Science, education and innovation: Ongoing cooperation includes joint research, student exchanges, smart campus development, and tech‑driven innovation through partnerships like Huawei and Chinese universities .
3. Cultural and people‑to‑people ties: Forums like the one in Salalah strengthen cultural narratives and public diplomacy, fostering deeper mutual understanding.
4. Shared strategic vision: With Chinese support for Oman’s strategic neutrality and regional stability, the two countries position their partnership as a foundation for broader Gulf‑China engagement.

Summary

The Salalah Friendship Forum and the latest strategic consultations reflect a maturing Oman‑China partnership, grounded in shared history and evolving across multiple modern dimensions. The economic ties—from petrochemicals to smart technologies—are expanding, while diplomatic alignment and cultural exchange remain strong pillars. Together, they point to a future in which Oman plays an increasingly strategic role in China’s Belt and Road Initiative and broader regional connectivity strategies.