China and Oman: A Rapprochement Driven by Technology and the Strait of Hormuz

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According to Alhurra, Sultan Haitham bin Tariq signed 23 agreements in Beijing, spanning sectors from Huawei AI processors for Oman's national cloud to joint satellite programs. This marks the first official visit by an Omani Sultan to China in 48 years. During the visit, President Xi Jinping emphasized the need to avoid great power competition in the Middle East, while both leaders called for the restoration of safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. Muscat is actively promoting its ports on the Arabian Sea, such as Duqm and Salalah, as strategic alternatives to those within the Strait of Hormuz to attract non-oil investment. Analysts note that these agreements, including the use of Huawei's 'Ascend' chips and the 'Space Silk Road' satellite program, increase Oman's reliance on Chinese technology, though Muscat continues to balance these ties with its traditional security partnership with Washington.